R & D Technician

WESTERN SMOKEHOUSE PARTNERS•Galesburg, IL

5h•$60,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

Western Smokehouse Partners is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research and Development (R&D) Technician to join our team in the meat snack industry. In this role, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to innovate and enhance our range of meat-based snack sticks. You will assist in product development, testing, and optimization to ensure the delivery of high-quality, flavorful, and market-leading meat snacks. This position is ideal for someone passionate about food innovation and looking to build a career in the food industry, particularly within the protein snack space.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Nutrition, Chemistry, or a related field.
Experience or strong interest in the meat industry, specifically in snack sticks, is a plus.
Basic understanding of food science principles, ingredient functionality, and product development processes.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Familiarity with food safety and regulatory standards (HACCP, USDA, FDA) is a plus.
Travel required up to 50% but negotiable.

Nice To Haves

Prior internship or work experience in food manufacturing or product development.
Proficiency in data analysis and reporting.
Microsoft 365

Responsibilities

Product Development Support: Assist in the formulation and development of new meat snack products, ensuring alignment with industry trends, customer preferences, and nutritional standards.
Specification Development: Develop and create detailed specifications and assist with production implementation.
Ingredient Research: Explore new ingredients, flavors, and techniques to enhance the taste, texture, and nutritional profile of meat snacks.
Product Testing and Prototyping(R and D Center): Assist in the creation of prototypes for new products, conducting taste tests, texture analysis, and shelf-life evaluations.
Quality Control: Help ensure the consistency and safety of products by performing quality checks and adhering to regulatory and safety standards throughout the R&D process.
Data Collection and Analysis: Collect and analyze data from trials and tests, providing insights and recommendations for product improvement.
Collaboration with Teams: Work closely with production, marketing, and supply chain teams to ensure successful commercialization of new products.
Regulatory Compliance: Assist in ensuring all products meet relevant food safety, labeling, and industry regulations.
Smokehouse Compliance: Ability to travel to our facilities and conduct research trials and verify smokehouse compliance