Food Scientist

Edesia Nutrition•North Kingstown, RI

15d

About The Position

Edesia is a non-profit social enterprise on a mission to end global malnutrition. We manufacture and distribute life-saving, ready-to-use therapeutic foods—such as Plumpy’Nut and Nutributter—to treat and prevent malnutrition among children and mothers in the world’s most vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities. Through strong partnerships with leading humanitarian organizations, NGOs, and Ministries of Health, we ensure our products reach those who need them most—even in the midst of the most complex and challenging humanitarian emergencies. The Food Scientist will support all functions of the growing Nutrition/R&D Department at Edesia. The R&D Department is cross-functional in its nature and requires extensive coordination and cooperation with other functional departments at Edesia (Operations, Production, Quality, Procurement, and Warehouse). The role consists primarily of managing all activities in the Test Kitchen but will periodically assist in scaling up activities from the Test Kitchen to Pilot Plant and Production. The Food Scientist will work closely with other Food Scientists and Process Engineers on the R&D team and most closely collaborate with the Quality and Operations teams.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in food science, culinary science, food process engineering, or food technology/science with 1+ years’ work experience or internship in R&D or related field.
Strong communication and organizational skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.
Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
Highly innovative and creative.
Excellent written and oral technical communication skills.
Ability to lift/carry boxes weighing 50 lbs.

Nice To Haves

3-5 years of job experience in R&D preferred.

Responsibilities

Contribute and support tenets of Food Science and Processing for current and new product categories
Assist with ongoing product improvements, including cost savings or improved product functionality
Create test kitchen samples based off of product concepts.
Maintain adequate inventory and rotation of ingredients in Test Kitchen.
Maintain organization and a clean and sanitary work environment in Test Kitchen.
Complete product characteristic analysis in-house (viscosity, texture, particle size).
Work with Quality Department and 3rd party lab for product and ingredient analysis (microbiology, chemical, nutritional).
Manage ongoing stability, shelf life, and sensory studies (sending samples, stocking incubator, checking temps, recording results – based on protocols) and complete interim and final reports.
Assist in Production and PilotPlant activities, which may include trials, validation of new production equipment, modifying procedures and recording forms based on equipment or material changes, performing quality checks, etc.
Perform supplier and ingredient validations and approvals.
Assist with proofing/editing of packaging and labeling, as needed.
Strict adherence to and promotion of Edesia’s food safety procedures and GMPs.
All other duties as assigned