Formulation Chemist

YAKIMA CHIEF HOPS INC•Sunnyside, WA

1d•$30 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this position is to create and formulate hop oil products in all product forms for the development of new hop products or improve existing hop products and processes. This person will have a great understanding of hop production techniques and hop analysis techniques. This individual must have an understanding of how each product is used in brewing and nonbrewing applications. This person will need to be able to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with all YCH stakeholders as they will be the liaison from product idea to final production. A large portion of your time will be in managing hop oil product workflows including assisting in work order request, inventory management, scheduling and planning timelines to meet production/customer demands and tracking.

Requirements

Excellent mathematical, communication and computer skills
Be strongly detail oriented
Be able to easily multi-task.
Demonstrated aptitude for data management and working cross departmentally to create long term system-wide quality improvement.
Ability to independently initiate, prioritize, and perform or solve work problems and ultimately achieve work objectives and meet deadlines.
Must be able to work independently and as a team member.
Must be able to effectively communicate in written and verbal form with co-workers, supervisor and management.
Follow and contribute to written (Standard Operating Procedures -SOP’s, company memos & emails) and verbal instructions including company safety rules.
Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and Outlook).
Possess a strong work ethic to positively contribute to the company’s mission, vision, values and environmental policy and quality policy.
Must have a positive attitude, support co-workers to obtain desired objectives, and assist others in their contributions.
Ability to sit/stand/walk for extended periods of time and access stairs and ladders.
Ability to bend, stoop, squat occasionally to frequently.
Ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (in required areas) for extended periods of time.
Ability to lift (up to 50 lbs), carry (up to 44 lbs) occasionally to frequently within normal limits.
Ability to adapt to changing paces and processes quickly.
Must be able to learn ERP systems to perform data entry & print reports.
Must be able to work long hours whether at a desk or in the field.
Must embrace and nurture a culture of continuous improvement.
Attentive to the task and own surroundings.
Must have a valid driver’s license, a dependable vehicle, and be willing to travel between YCH facilities.

Nice To Haves

Preferred background in chemistry, chemical engineering and/or flavor science through work experience or formal education.
Project management skills preferred.
Familiarity with YCH’s plant operations, business scope, sensory program and lab analyses

Responsibilities

Perform daily operations regarding formulation of hop products
Operate/supervise Wipe Film Evaporator for hop oil production
Formulate hop oil products including preparation in emulsions
Package pilot formulated products for customer trials and/or for production.
Write reports, SOP’s, create forms, develop product specifications and analytical analysis techniques for internal distribution.
Transport samples to and from all YCH facilities between Yakima, Sunnyside and ship to customers as needed.
Understand the formulation and production of advanced hop products including separations, isomerization, reductions and hydrogenations
Assist and perform experiments to improve current hop products and processes
Curate and analyze data from production processes especially extraction and oil products to aid in continuous improvement of operations.
Remain up to date and investigate new processes and purifications technologies that can be used for the creation of new and novel hop products.
Collaborate with operations team, R&D team, Brewing Innovations and XFPD for proposing new and novel hop products.
Collaborate with outside processors to assist in the development of products that YCH does not have the processing equipment for.
Write SOP’s for new products and processes
Train production and packaging staff
Supervise production of new products until staff is confident
Assist planning in calculating demands, yields and production timelines
Assist in deciding packaging materials and compatibility
Assist in determination of cost of production.
Analyze raw materials and finished products
Prepare leaf hops, cryo products, hop pellets, hop extract, advanced products, hop oil and beer.
Analyze samples by UV, HPLC, GCMS, Turbidity meter, Anton Parr, and pH meter
Operate wipe film extractor, rotovap, spinning band distillation, centrifuges and oil distillation apparatuses.
Write and modify SOPs as required
Assist with method development
Maintain systems to store and interpret data
Remain up to date with current and future technology that applies to the lab, hops, hop products, and beer
Assist in maintaining a pleasant, organized and effective working environment
Approach issues or concerns with a positive attitude and solution-minded outlook
Communicate with customers and other YCH teams to share results and present ideas
Assist in maintaining all relevant analysis equipment and facilities to ensure accuracy and dependability
Assist in the investigation and resolution of quality issues
Active member in YCH’s sensory program.
Provide technical assistance to all laboratories.
Provide technical support to YCH staff and customers
Perform other duties within the company as required
Continuously look for ways to improve process efficiency and work with teams and supervisors to evaluate recommendations and craft process improvement plans
Adhere to company safety policies as well as federal, state, and local safety and environmental regulations
Maintain sanitary and safe work environment and follow safety requirements.
May actively participate on the company’s Safety Committee.
Ensure that company safety policies as well as federal, state and local safety and environmental regulations are observed.
Must have a complete understanding of company’s policies, SOPs, QPs, EPs, HACCP and cGMP that pertain to their department to ensure quality, safety, efficiency and sustainability.
Must adhere to all company policies.
Examine documents, materials, and products and monitor work processes to assess completeness, accuracy and conformance to standards and specifications.
Follow all SOPs in each area.
Perform all other duties as assigned by Manager and/or designee.