Director, Food Systems & Application Science

Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc.As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway—you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best.About The JobThough you may not know us by name, you’ve most likely enjoyed meals and refreshments supported by our industry-leading brand portfolio. For decades, we’ve designed and manufactured foodservice equipment for some of the world’s biggest, most recognized consumer brands. We are driven to innovate with a clear purpose in mind: revolutionize the future of foodservice.The Director, Food Systems & Application Science will build and institutionalize a scientific framework that defines how food interacts with Marmon Foodservice Technologies (MFT) equipment including holding bins, toasters, and heated platforms - so product performance is measurable, repeatable, and faster to validate with customers.This role transforms subjective food quality feedback (e.g., “too dry,” “compressed,” “soggy”) into objective, quantifiable parameters that directly inform engineering design decisions, de-risk product development, and significantly accelerate QSR approval cycles.What You’ll DoDefine Measurable Food Performance CriteriaEstablish clear, science-based definitions of food quality performance across time, temperature, and equipment conditions.Define moisture loss thresholds by product type and applicationEstablish acceptable compression and deformation tolerance rangesQuantify texture degradation curves over hold timeMap time–temperature interactions and their impact on food qualityStandardize validation and test protocols for holding, heating, and toasting applicationsIntegrate with Engineering & Product DevelopmentServe as the technical bridge between food science and equipment engineering.Translate food performance limits into actionable engineering design constraintsPartner with engineering teams to support design of experiments (DOE)Collaborate on heat distribution, airflow, and humidity control modelingProvide validation data and food performance evidence to support new product launchesBuild & Scale Validation Lab CapabilityDevelop internal technical capability to objectively measure food-system performance.Establish and oversee laboratory methods including:Texture Profile Analysis (TPA)Water activity (aw) measurementMoisture content and loss analysisInternal temperature and thermal mappingAccelerated hold-time and shelf-life studiesDefine best practices for repeatability, data integrity, and scalability across programsSupport Commercial & Customer EngagementProvide scientific credibility and technical leadership in customer-facing and field applications.Act as a technical authority during QSR testing and validationDefine pre-approval food performance test plans with customersReduce customer approval cycle times through structured, data-backed validationSupport root cause analysis and troubleshooting for field performance issuesStrong Foundation in:Heat and mass transferRheology and texture analysisWater activity and moisture modelingFood microbiology fundamentals (applied understanding)Skills/Experience We’re Looking For8–15 years of experience in applied food systems, product applications, or food-focused R&DExperience working with commercial food equipment, QSR R&D teams, or foodservice technology environmentsDemonstrated ability to translate sensory or qualitative outcomes into quantitative, repeatable metricsProven experience designing and executing structured experiments, including DOETrack record of influencing cross-functional teams (engineering, product, commercial) through data-driven insightRequired QualificationsMS or PhD in Food Science, Food Engineering, Thermal Processing, or a related disciplineBenefitsWe support your well-being with comprehensive and easy-to-use benefits that you’ll be eligible to enroll in on your first day of employment. Here are some of the highlights:Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug insurance plansAccess to a Health Advocate who is an expert in Marmon’s health plan and can help you select the best health benefits for you and your familyTax advantaged spending accounts for health and dependent care expensesWellness programs and resources including Telehealth, Mental Health, Fitness, and Family PlanningGenerous paid time off for personal use, holidays, and parental leaveCompany-sponsored life insurance401(k) with fully vested company match; Marmon may also make an additional annual discretionary contribution to your account, whether or not you contribute on your ownFinancial and retirement advisingAbout Marmon Holdings: Marmon Holdings, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, comprises 11 groups and more than 100 autonomous businesses with total annual revenue of $10 billion. Marmon’s 28,000-plus team members are celebrating the company's 70th anniversary in 2023 and helping write the next chapter of Marmon's story.Pay Range:132,000.00 - 198,000.00We offer a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, and more!Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their membership in any protected class. If you require any reasonable accommodation to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email your request to View email address on click.appcast.io, and please be sure to include the title and the location of the position for which you are applying.SummaryLocation: Carol Stream, ILType: Full time