Food Scientist - Meat
About The Position
Grecian Delight | Kronos Foods is seeking a Food Scientist – Meat at its Elk Grove Village location. Reporting to the Research & Development Manager, this role leads meat product development across beef, pork, and poultry, as well as plant-based protein development. The Food Scientist develops formulas, processing procedures, and specifications for new products, product enhancements, and cost reductions. The position leads projects from concept through commercialization, investigates product and process challenges, collaborates with cross-functional teams, evaluates ingredients and suppliers, and uses scientific techniques and experimentation to improve products and processes. It also supports sensory evaluation, competitive product research, and the preparation of raw material and formula information for regulatory personnel.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Food Science or a related area.
- At least 3 years of product development experience.
- Experience in a food manufacturing environment.
- Previous USDA meat protein product development experience.
- In-depth experience with ingredients, flavors, and their functionalities.
- Strong technical knowledge.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills at all organizational levels.
- Computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with Esha Genesis or an equivalent nutritional program.
Responsibilities
- Lead multiple development projects involving meat proteins, plant-based proteins, and sauces, including new products and improvements to existing products.
- Provide technical leadership for assigned projects from concept development through successful commercialization.
- Recommend new product concepts for development.
- Investigate product and process challenges and develop solutions for development and commercialization.
- Work with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Purchasing to determine the equipment, materials, and processes needed to maximize capacity and optimize quality and differentiation.
- Conduct technical studies of ingredients, suppliers, and co-packers relevant to project objectives and company standards.
- Ensure technically sound sensory panels are conducted for product development, shelf-life studies, existing product improvement or maintenance, and competitive testing.
- Recommend process improvements and design experiments to improve formulations, processes, or equipment so finished products meet internal and external customer parameters.
- Evaluate competitive marketplace products to identify market opportunities and application recommendations for current products.
- Provide raw material information and formulas to regulatory personnel for nutritional and product analyses and nutrition facts panels.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation and bonus programs
- Medical, dental, and vision options for employees and their families
- Safe-harbor 401(k) plan with generous matching and immediate vesting
- Life, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability programs
- Health, dependent care, and commuter flexible spending accounts
- Health Savings Account contributions
- Additional voluntary benefit programs
- Paid vacations and holidays
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Respectful work environment and opportunities for professional growth
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
