Associate R&D Technologist

Smithfield Foods • Smithfield, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

As an Associate Research and Development Technologist, you will play a key role in driving innovation and efficiency. You will support research projects, document critical findings, and contribute to cost optimization efforts through formulation and processing improvements. Your work will help create cutting-edge product prototypes, shaping future development initiatives. Additionally, you will identify and approve potential ingredient and manufacturing suppliers, ensuring high-quality standards and operational excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Food Science or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Strong scientific knowledge of meat, non-meat ingredients and their functionality.
• Able to work with pilot plant equipment with minimal supervision.
• Proficient in on-line work systems and product development software tools.
• Continuously improves and updates food/meat science and product development skills and understands all aspects of current plant process systems.
• Must have the ability to complete required applicable forms in English, which requires the ability to read and write in English.
• Ability to multi-task; strong interpersonal, communication, organizational and time management skills.
• May require travel up to 40% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Product Development and Commercialization: You will support the development of new products and line extensions, guiding them from bench-top concepts to full commercialization. By conducting pilot plant tests and production trials, you will help generate viable prototypes and refine formulations for improved product quality. Additionally, you will collaborate with R&D team members, contributing to hands-on innovation and ensuring successful product development.
• Process and Data Management: You will manage product formulations using an online database system, creating and adjusting recipes to meet development needs. Additionally, you will maintain accurate project files, specifications, and key product data to ensure seamless documentation and formulation integrity.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Business, Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, and Engineering, to support product development efforts. Through clear verbal and written communication, you will document and organize product reviews while ensuring stakeholders stay informed on project progress.
• Skill Development and Compliance: You will improve product development skills through training, hands-on experience, and understanding USDA/FDA regulations.

Benefits

• Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers.
• Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost. These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.
• Our company invests in your future. We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential.
• Our partnership with GUILD supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning and various certificate programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high-potential talent.
• For those looking to build specialized skills, we offer apprenticeship programs that combine hands-on experience with focused learning.
• We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.
• Smithfield’s Education Reimbursement Program provides financial reimbursement to team members who want to further their formal education by obtaining a GED/High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma or by pursuing an academic degree at an accredited college or university that is not a Guild learning partner.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level