Food Scientist

The Link Snacks the Food Scientist plays a key role in the development and execution of corporate research, development, and innovation initiatives including new product development, product and process improvement, quality, and food safety.  This position will play a major role in helping the company achieve its growth objectives through appropriate uses of technology and innovation in new product development, packaging, quality control, and operations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drive and support the development of innovation from internal and external sources to help fulfill the company’s strategic plan.
• Support the exploration of alternative ingredients, vendors and processes to deliver higher margin for new and current product opportunities.
• Support the identification and research of potential new platform opportunities.
• Serve as a voice providing feedback and technical assistance as a member of the R & D team.
• Manage individual projects as assigned including sourcing and verification of raw ingredients and other materials, collaboration with Operations, QA, and other R & D staff to schedule and execute plant trials, hands on technical development and commercialization of new products in line with the NPD process and documentation of test formulas, procedures and net outcomes.
• Lead product cuttings for cross functional teams of existing products, product improvements, new products, or competitive samples.
• Champion quality awareness.  Maintain product quality across our product lines.
• Continuously improve product and processes for greater product quality and profitability.
• Document and maintain product and process specifications, nutritional values/product labeling and regulatory requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Animal Science or related field.
• 3 +  years of product development experience or working in relevant food manufacturing experiences
• Familiarity with laboratory procedures and equipment
• Proficient written and oral communication skills.
• Comfortable in a fast paced, changing environment.
• Demonstrated relationship and leadership skills including effective collaboration with R&D, quality, and cross-functional partners
• Strong problem-solving skills and a bias for action
• Detail oriented with demonstrated experience of maintaining accurate records on all tests and related work
• Comfortable in a fast paced, changing environment
• Ability to travel up to 30%.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Animal Science or related field.
• 5 + years of experience in the meat processing industry, or meat lab experience preferred.
• Understanding of USDA regulations
• Smokehouse experience including natural and atomized smoke applications
• Experience in the shelf stable meat snack industry
• Knowledge of food manufacturing regulations, standards and labeling, plant sanitation, and microbiology

The salary range for this role is $75,000 - $90,000 (Annually).  Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. Base pay is just one component of Link Snacks Total Rewards package for Team Members. Other rewards may include annual incentive and program-specific awards. Link Snacks provides a variety of benefits to eligible Team Members, including medical, dental and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, 401k participation, paid holidays, and paid time off.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to be successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the Team Member is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The Team Member is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The Team Member must occasionally lift and/or more up to twenty-five pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant/office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels. Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet/slippery floors. However, the vast amount of work is conducted in a climate-controlled office. Travel may be required.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Link Snacks provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.

 E-VERIFY: Link Snacks is participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.  For information about the E-Verify program, please visit:  http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees