Research and Development Research Specialist

Hormel Foods Family of Companies•Willmar, MN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The R&D Research Specialist position at Hormel Foods in Willmar, MN, focuses on supporting research activities related to farm-to-fork monitoring, mitigation, and elimination. This role involves extensive data management, analysis, and reporting to aid in decisions concerning USDA-FSIS poultry performance standards and regulatory compliance. The specialist will work with multiple databases to solve problems, analyze and communicate data for innovative applications, and troubleshoot a laboratory information management system. They will also provide support to scientists and development leaders in various R&D areas, including food safety, product development, sensory/shelf-life, and thermal processing. The role may involve assisting with laboratory studies, shelf-life studies, and managing analytical equipment maintenance. Additionally, the specialist will be responsible for proofing, formatting, and distributing research reports, maintaining project time sheets, tracking absences, and reconciling PCard expenses.

Requirements

Two-year degree (BS preferred) and/or 1 – 5 yrs data management experience
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel); Word and PowerPoint.
Effective ability to work independently and cross-functionally with others.
Demonstrated use of strong organizational skills, problem solving, prioritizing, and the ability to work independently and with cross-functional teams.
Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
Must be capable of working several hours in a 38°F cooler or for short periods of time in a 0°F freezer.
Must be capable of standing for extended periods of time.
Occasionally lift 20 – 30 lbs. and may, on occasion, lift up to 50 lbs.

Nice To Haves

Two-year degree (BS preferred) in a related field (Poultry/Meat/Animal/Food Sciences; Microbiology)
Proficient use of Pivot Tables
Experience with LIMS programs
Ability to work independently
Understanding of vertically integrated poultry/animal industries

Responsibilities

Utilizes strong Excel skills for management of farm-to-fork monitoring, mitigation, and elimination research activities for myriad cross-functional stakeholders.
Conduct data analysis and generation of reports in support of decisions concerning USDA-FSIS poultry performance standards and regulatory compliance.
Ability to think through and manipulate multiple databases to provide support for solutions of problems.
Analyzes, evaluates, translates data, and communicates results that will lead to improved, innovative, and creative applications to support the company goals and objectives.
Identifying and troubleshooting functionality updates to Jennie-O Lab Information Management System for company users.
Provide support to scientists and development leaders in numerous areas of R&D (food safety research, product development, sensory/shelf-life, and thermal processing).
May assist benchtop laboratory studies utilizing chemical and biological materials.
May assist with shelf-life studies, product evaluations, data collection, analysis, and reporting, including assembly of equipment for required experiments.
Management of annual preventative maintenance schedules of R&D analytical equipment.
Proof, format, and distribute research reports. Maintain project time sheets, track PTO, business travel, and other absences, including PCard reconciliation. Have knowledge of scanning equipment, inserting, and reformatting scanned items into appropriate documents as needed.