Food Technologist

Job Duties

Essential Functions: (Responsibilities, Tasks, Supervisory Needs)

Initiates, produces and supplies existing or prototype product samples designed to meet target account needs. Drafts provisional specifications on prototype products prepared for target customer sampling. Ensures adequate supply of 1st production samples retains and bench control for cook validation, product cuttings, shelf-life tests etc.

Performs bench top research and evaluation of new ingredients and product formulations in their area of responsibility; plans, performs and documents lab experiments, shelf-life testing, and production trials.

Evaluates and recommends various ingredient/recipe components in terms of functionality, formula, acceptability to target customer/geographic region of account, cost verification and Trident manufacturing capability. Ensures new ingredient opportunities are properly vetted and approved prior to preparing customer samples.

Responsible for assigned multiple R&D projects partnering with the supply chain, FSQA, production team, category and project management where required.

Leads multiple projects with assistance from manager or senior developer where required.

Tightly collaborates with fellow food scientists and chefs on product development, R&D processes, presentations, and everyday operations. Mentors less experienced team members.

Contributes to New Product Development (NPD) creative exploration (10% of job scope).

Designs methods to improve ingredient qualities and food production in areas of flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, convenience, and/or physical, chemical, and microbiological composition of foods, as well as cost improvement and process efficiency.

Creates R&D specifications and documents all tests (lab and plant trials); compiles and records testing data and charts for ingredient performance, production test information/ summary and on-going projects.

Participates in sensory evaluations, sets up and leads product cuttings/presentations to internal project teams, introducing or re-acquainting them to specific products, ingredient features, benefits, requirements, and application techniques.

Trident Seafoods offers a comprehensive and quality benefits package. Full-time employees may be eligible for discretionary/performance-based incentives, medical, dental and vision insurance plans, optional HRA/HSA, telemedicine, employee assistance and wellness programs, long-term disability, basic life and AD&D, and 401(k) with a company match, paid time off, 10 paid holidays each year, and paid parental leave. For full-time employees, the initial paid time off benefit starts at 20 days per year, adjusted commensurate with relevant experience. Commuter and transit programs are also available.

Qualifications

Travel/On-Call Requirements: Located in Motley, Minnesota with occasional travel to customers, up to 10%

Required Qualifications: (Education, Years of Experience, Certifications)

A minimum of 5 years of experience in food science, manufacturing, or a related field

A bachelor’s degree in food science or a related field; or the equivalent combination of education and years of experience.

Preferred Education & Experiences:

A master’s degree in food science or related field

Strong knowledge of labeling requirements to review nutritional and ingredient statements and recommend changes when required.

Working knowledge of product development and commercialization requirements, including cooking instructions validation, thermometer calibration, shelf-life testing and record keeping.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

General understanding of food laws and regulations

Solid understanding of mathematics, scientific weights, and measurements.

Basic working knowledge of MS Office, PowerPoint, Database Management and other computer applications to access information, analyze data and solve problems.

Trident Seafoods provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Minimum Education Required

A bachelor’s degree in food science or a related field; or the equivalent combination of education and years of experience.

Minimum Experience Required

A minimum of 5 years of experience in food science, manufacturing, or a related field.

Shift

First (Day)

Number of Openings

1

Compensation

$75,000.00 - $110,000.00 / Annually

Postal Code

56466

Job Type

Full Time

Place of Work

On-site

Requisition ID

5030

Job Benefits

The position may require standing for extended periods, frequent walking between work areas, lifting and carrying ingredients or product samples up to 25-50 pounds, and occasional travel to manufacturing facilities, suppliers, customers, or industry events.