Plant Food Technologist

The Krusteaz Company•Effingham, IL

11d•$82,713 - $122,894•Onsite

About The Position

The Plant Food Technologist is the technical link between R&D, Plant Operations, and Quality at the Effingham Plant. The role provides expertise to improve product quality, reduce waste, increase efficiency, support cost savings, and bring new products and improvements to market. This position works cross-functionally to align formulas, packaging, plant trials, and innovation projects with manufacturing capabilities, quality standards, and commercialization goals. The role supports product and process optimization, commercialization, quality investigations, continuous improvement, and food safety. It also manages the plant product formula portfolio and provides technical guidance and training to plant and cross-functional teams. The position requires applying scientific principles, experimentation, and data analysis, and communicating technical findings to diverse audiences.

Requirements

Strong understanding of R&D, Quality, and Manufacturing functions and ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams.
Technical expertise in ingredient functionality, formulation, food processing, packaging systems, and quality standards within a manufacturing environment.
Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) expectations and ability to work effectively in a plant manufacturing environment.
Ability to translate plant capabilities, constraints, and operational requirements into actionable recommendations for product development, commercialization, and manufacturing performance.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and problem-solving skills, including experience with structured problem-solving tools.
Ability to lead cross-functional projects, influence stakeholders, and drive results in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-management skills, including the ability to engage business leaders, plant personnel, customers, auditors, and cross-functional partners.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, follow through, and deliver results through collaboration and influence.
Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Food Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field.
At least 5 years of experience in food product development, process development, manufacturing support, technical services, or a related role.
Experience leading plant trials, commercialization activities, and product optimization projects within a food manufacturing environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with frozen and refrigerated food products.

Responsibilities

Serve as a technical liaison between R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain within the plant.
Provide technical expertise for product quality, operational efficiency, waste reduction, and cost improvement initiatives.
Partner cross-functionally to support communication, issue resolution, and project execution.
Oversee formulation, process, and packaging trials within the plant.
Support new product launches, formula changes, and commercialization activities with R&D, Innovation, and PMO teams.
Ensure products and processes align with manufacturing capabilities, quality standards, and operational requirements.
Manage and maintain the plant product formula portfolio.
Optimize products and processes for quality, manufacturability, efficiency, cost, waste, and sanitation performance.
Support ingredient and packaging standardization and shelf-life extension initiatives.
Partner with Quality and Operations to investigate product quality concerns, consumer complaints, and process deviations.
Lead root cause analysis and corrective action development for formulation and manufacturing-related issues.
Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities that enhance product consistency, operational performance, and food safety.
Provide technical guidance and training to plant and cross-functional teams.
Apply scientific principles, experimentation, and data analysis to support product and process improvements.
Communicate technical findings and recommendations effectively to diverse audiences.