Food Technologist

Kinder's • Walnut Creek, CA

2h • $100,000 - $105,000

About The Position

How you'll have an impact at Kinder’s: The Food Technologist provides technical support for all product development activities from exploratory/concept through commercialization. Emphasis on bench-top formulation for innovation and renovation projects, product cuttings, and documentation.

Requirements

• BS Degree in Food Science or a similar discipline with 1-3 years food industry experience.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing, formulation and ingredient functionality for sauces.
• Some understanding of food safety and microbiology.
• Some knowledge of packaging technology to evaluate adequacy of packaging.
• Some knowledge of food labeling regulations.
• Some knowledge of sensory evaluation procedures.
• Excellent time management skills, sense of urgency, and desire to complete all assignments on a timely basis.
• Must be able to travel up to 20% - 30% of the time.
• Growth mindset with an excitement to learn (and teach).
• Passionate people-lover excited by the opportunity to build strong relationships with teammates and consumers.
• Low ego with a strong sense of humility.
• Thrive in a dynamic, lean, and agile environment.
• Collaborative mindset with an ability to find creative solutions.
• Self-starter who takes initiative and is willing to speak their mind.
• Excited to be part of a fast-moving team with the ability to be a leader and a follower where required.
• Enjoy making decisions and finding ways to say ‘yes’ as often as possible to impactful and important priorities.

Responsibilities

• With guidance, design and execute product development innovation, renovation, cost optimization and quality initiatives. Follow-through on product refinements based on PD, Marketing, and Customer feedback.
• Leverage vendor capabilities and co-packers to expand formulation possibilities, new ingredients, product technologies and to increase speed to market.
• In conjunction with Culinary Team, manage internal cuttings including coordinating sensory panels, tabulating results, and providing guidance on product development.
• Optimize product formulations based on nutritional guidelines and cost constraints.
• With PDM, support new product launches including plant trials and start of production at contract manufacturers. Confirm specifications are met for product. With process engineer, confirm specs are met for package, and process. Coordinate logistics for plant trial unique raw materials and sample delivery/acquisition.
• Design and conduct shelf-life stability testing for new products.

Benefits

• We offer a range of total rewards that may include paid time off, 401k, bonus / incentive eligibility, equity grants, competitive health benefits, and other family-friendly benefits, including parental leave.
• Kinder’s benefits vary based on eligibility and can be reviewed in more detail during the interview process.

What This Job Offers

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