Food Technologist

GRUMA•Grand Prairie, TX

About The Position

This position applies scientific and engineering principles in research, development, production technology, packaging, processing and utilization of foods to develop new food products. It involves using knowledge of management, production lines, and manufacturing systems to test and develop new products. The role also includes managing assigned customer accounts and projects in coordination with sales and marketing representatives to fulfill new product requests and product improvements according to the growth plan. The Food Technologist will understand and interpret concepts to design and develop products according to customer requirements and company manufacturing capabilities, including designing new product profiles, formulations, and testing schedules, prototype development, and verification of final prototype performance in all company plants. Implementation of new products at the plant level will follow good manufacturing practices and company manufacturing guidelines and requirements. The position involves training personnel, developing quality assurance specifications, and creating technical information for customers. It also requires conducting technical meetings with customers and the Research and Development department during product development and after product launch, as well as providing technical assistance and training to customers on existing and new products, sharing technical information about products, characteristics, handling, and utilization. Coordination of trial productions with production plants, running tests, and preparing and sending samples of new products to internal or external customers are also key responsibilities. Ensuring appropriate documentation of experimental trials and outcomes to facilitate scale-up and product transfer to manufacturing, and designing and conducting shelf-life studies, including product and package performance under various conditions, with recommendations for appropriate adjustments in product and/or package, are also part of the role. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Food Science or related field, plus 3 years of baking or cereal industry research and development experience, or alternatively, Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, or related field, plus 5 years of baking or cereal industry research and development experience. Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience may be considered.
Experience or knowledge in commodities economics and cost evaluation.
Experience in and a solid record of accomplishment, demonstrated by-products/process/experimental
Excellent technical writing and computer skills.
Ability to plan and execute the experimental design to achieve desired research objectives.
Knowledge or experience of baking or cereal processing.
Ability to work independently to achieve project goals.
Project management knowledge and application.
Capability to lead multiple projects with a cross-functional team.
Ability to set clear goals, evaluate and prioritize while being accountable.
Ability to interact directly with customers, the ability to manage customer’s expectations and provide solutions.

Responsibilities

Applies scientific and engineering principles in research, development, production technology, packaging, processing and utilization of foods to develop new food products.
Uses knowledge of management, production lines and manufacturing systems to test and develop new products.
Manages assigned customer accounts and projects in coordination with sales and marketing representatives to fulfill new product requests and product improvements according to the growth plan.
Understands and interprets concepts and ideas accurately to design and develop products according to customer requirements and company manufacturing capabilities, including design of new product profiles, formulations, and testing schedules, prototype development, and verification of final prototype performance in all company plants.
Implements new products at the plant level following good manufacturing practices and company manufacturing guidelines and requirements.
Trains personnel, develops quality assurance specifications and develops technical information for customers.
Conducts technical meetings with customers and Research and Development department during product development and following product launch.
Provides technical assistance and technical training to customers on existing and new products, shares technical information about products, characteristics, handling and utilization.
Coordinates trial productions with the production plants, runs tests, prepares and sends samples of new products to internal or external customers.
Ensure appropriate documentation of experimental trials and outcomes to facilitate scale-up and product transfer to manufacturing.
Designs and conducts shelf-life studies, including product and package performance under various conditions and makes recommendations for appropriate adjustments in product and/or package.
Performs other duties as assigned.