Food Technologist

GRUMA•Grand Prairie, TX

About The Position

The Food Technologist applies scientific and engineering principles to research, development, production technology, packaging, processing, and utilization of foods to develop new products. The role uses knowledge of management, production lines, and manufacturing systems to test and develop products, and manages assigned customer accounts and projects with sales and marketing representatives to fulfill new product requests and improvements in support of the growth plan. The position interprets customer requirements and company manufacturing capabilities to design product profiles and formulations, plan testing schedules, develop prototypes, and verify final prototype performance across company plants. It implements products at plant level in accordance with good manufacturing practices and company guidelines, trains personnel, develops quality assurance specifications and customer technical information, and conducts technical meetings with customers and Research and Development. The role also provides technical assistance and training to customers on product characteristics, handling, and utilization; coordinates production trials, tests, and sample preparation; documents experimental trials and outcomes to support scale-up and transfer to manufacturing; and designs and conducts shelf-life studies of product and package performance under various conditions. Other duties may be assigned. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not offered.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Food Science or a related field and at least 1 year of baking or cereal industry research and development experience; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, or a related field and at least 3 years of baking or cereal industry research and development experience. Equivalent combinations of related education and/or experience may be considered.
Experience or knowledge in commodity economics and cost evaluation.
Experience and a solid record of accomplishment demonstrated through products, processes, or experiments.
Excellent technical writing and computer skills.
Ability to plan and execute experimental designs to achieve research objectives.
Knowledge or experience in baking or cereal processing.
Ability to work independently to achieve project goals.
Knowledge and application of project management.
Ability to lead multiple projects with a cross-functional team.
Ability to set clear goals, evaluate and prioritize work, and remain accountable.
Ability to interact directly with customers, manage customer expectations, and provide solutions.
Must be authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not offered.

Responsibilities

Apply scientific and engineering principles to research, development, production technology, packaging, processing, and utilization of foods to develop new products.
Use knowledge of management, production lines, and manufacturing systems to test and develop new products.
Manage assigned customer accounts and projects in coordination with sales and marketing representatives to fulfill product requests and improvements according to the growth plan.
Design product profiles, formulations, and testing schedules based on customer requirements and company manufacturing capabilities; develop prototypes and verify final prototype performance in all company plants.
Implement new products at the plant level in accordance with good manufacturing practices and company manufacturing guidelines and requirements.
Train personnel, develop quality assurance specifications, and prepare technical information for customers.
Conduct technical meetings with customers and the Research and Development department during product development and after product launch.
Provide technical assistance and training to customers regarding existing and new products, including product characteristics, handling, and utilization.
Coordinate trial productions with production plants, run tests, and prepare and send samples to internal or external customers.
Document experimental trials and outcomes to facilitate scale-up and product transfer to manufacturing.
Design and conduct shelf-life studies of product and package performance under various conditions and recommend appropriate adjustments.