R & D Technician

THRUSHWOOD FARMS QUALITY MEATS INC•Burlington, IA

21h•$60,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Research and Development Technician will be responsible for helping drive product innovation, development, and improvement by executing key tasks in the R&D department. This role is ideal for someone enthusiastic about creating meat products, with a powerful desire to learn, teach, and collaborate. The R&D Technician will help in the product development process, improve existing products, and work together with plants and FSQA teams to establish and maintain standards and specifications.

Requirements

B.S. in Food Science, Meat Science, or related field
Ability to travel up to 50% of time
Excellent organizational and communication skills
Experience in food processing industry, ideally meat
Workable knowledge in the use of Microsoft Excel, Word & PowerPoint, and ability to learn new systems

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of meat processing techniques, food safety standards, and sensory evaluation preferred
Qualities of a self-starter, analytical person, detail-oriented, collaborative, able to lead change, and continuously driven to improve processes

Responsibilities

Execute new product and line extension sample trial production, from processing to packaging, to create high quality and tasty meat snacks
Help test new processes and equipment when necessary
Maintain detailed records of experiments, formulations, smokehouse schedules, and test results, and create reports for management and regulatory purposes
Assist in educating others, and create training programs for products and processes where applicable
Create and manage product specifications, and communicate and administer specifications to the plants and FSQA teams
Assist in the continual optimization of smokehouse performance across all plants
Perform packaging feasibility testing
Help organize and execute product launches within the plants, working with all related departments
Other duties as assigned