Senior Food Safety Scientist (Ph.D. or M.S.)
About The Position
Exponent is seeking a Senior Food Safety Scientist for a Senior Managing Scientist position in its Chemical Regulation and Food Safety Practice. The role is based in Washington, DC, with other locations also considered. The scientist will work with a team helping clients ensure food safety throughout food production, processing, distribution, retail, and food service. Work includes analysis of chemical, biological, and physical hazards and preventive controls; regulatory compliance and industry best practices; root-cause analysis of product specification excursions, contamination, or failures; and outbreak investigations involving epidemiology, traceability and traceback, and laboratory analysis. Clients include companies, trade associations, regulatory and litigation attorneys, and insurance companies. The position combines technical consulting with business development, project delivery, and staff mentoring. The consultant will advise clients on food manufacturing and food safety risk assessment and management, develop client relationships, prepare technical reports and presentations, and manage project proposals, budgets, timelines, deliverables, expectations, and receivables. The role requires independent project management and the ability to contribute effectively to team projects. Exponent describes its office environment as supportive, collaborative, dynamic, and multidisciplinary. Consultants generally work in person at the office unless traveling for client work or other business activities. The company also describes an agile work style that allows consultants to balance work and personal schedules while meeting client needs.
Requirements
- Ph.D. or M.S. degree concentrated in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Agriculture, Engineering, or a related science.
- Ten or more years of relevant experience in industry, trade associations, academia, government, or consulting.
- Extensive knowledge of raw agricultural commodities, ingredients, food processing technologies, supply chain management, distribution, and retail/food service practices.
- Thorough knowledge of food safety hazards and preventive control programs, process and equipment validation, and facility food safety assessments.
- Comprehensive knowledge of food regulatory compliance, recall decision-making and management, crisis management, outbreak investigation, traceability, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.
- Proven ability or potential to build an existing personal consulting practice with a substantial client base.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments under rigid time constraints.
- Capability to manage client projects independently.
- Proficiency in managing and participating effectively in team projects.
- Presently legally authorized to work in the United States; no immigration sponsorship or processing is required.
Nice To Haves
- An entrepreneurial spirit.
Responsibilities
- Provide clients with technical expertise related to food manufacturing and food safety risk assessment and risk management, including regulatory compliance and industry best practices.
- Identify new clients through business development and marketing efforts.
- Produce technical reports and presentations.
- Prepare proposals and manage budgets, timelines, deliverables, client expectations, and receivables.
- Mentor junior staff.
- Assist clients with pre- and post-market analysis of chemical, biological, and physical hazards and food safety preventive controls across supply chains, ingredients, processing procedures, and production environments.
- Support regulatory compliance and industry best practices for food, beverages, and nutritional products.
- Conduct or support root-cause analyses of product specification excursions, contamination, or failures.
- Support outbreak investigations, including epidemiology, traceability and traceback, and laboratory analysis.
- Manage client projects independently and participate effectively in team projects.
Benefits
- At the Manager level and above, total compensation includes a base salary, annual bonus, and a 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary.
- The firm offers programs and resources to support health and well-being.
- The firm offers competitive benefits, compensation, and recognition programs.
- Flexible, agile work style and working hours that allow consultants to balance work and personal schedules.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
