Food Scientist

Link Snacks • Minneapolis, MN

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About The Position

The Food Scientist plays a key role in Link Snacks’ corporate research, development, and innovation initiatives, including new product development, product and process improvement, quality, and food safety. The position supports company growth objectives through the use of technology and innovation in product development, packaging, quality control, and operations.

The role supports innovation from internal and external sources, investigates ingredients, vendors, processes, and potential new product platforms, and provides technical input as part of the R&D team. It manages assigned projects from ingredient and material sourcing through plant trials, hands-on product development, commercialization, and documentation. The Food Scientist also leads product cuttings, champions quality, improves products and processes, and maintains product and process specifications, nutritional information, labeling, and regulatory documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Animal Science, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of product development experience or relevant food manufacturing experience.
• Familiarity with laboratory procedures and equipment.
• Proficient written and oral communication skills.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Demonstrated relationship-building 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 maintaining accurate records of tests and related work.
• Ability to travel up to 30%.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Animal Science, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in the meat processing industry, or meat lab experience.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Drive and support development of innovation from internal and external sources in support of the company’s strategic plan.
• Explore alternative ingredients, vendors, and processes to improve margins for new and existing product opportunities.
• Support identification and research of potential new platform opportunities.
• Provide feedback and technical assistance as a member of the R&D team.
• Manage assigned projects, including sourcing and verifying raw ingredients and other materials; collaborating with Operations, QA, and R&D staff to schedule and execute plant trials; conducting hands-on technical development and commercialization in line with the NPD process; and documenting test formulas, procedures, and outcomes.
• Lead product cuttings for cross-functional teams covering existing products, product improvements, new products, and competitive samples.
• Champion quality awareness and maintain product quality across product lines.
• Continuously improve products and processes to enhance quality and profitability.
• Document and maintain product and process specifications, nutritional values and product labeling, and regulatory requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical benefits
• Dental benefits
• Vision benefits
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• 401(k) participation
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
• Annual incentive and program-specific awards may be available.

What This Job Offers

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