Senior R&D Scientist

Jbs Usa • Perry, IA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Senior R&D Scientist Scope Of Position: The Senior R&D Scientist for Product Development, is responsible for leading formula and process development initiatives within the JBS sausage business. This role will focus on the new sow harvest facility in Perry, Iowa with a focus on end product formats. This role will be instrumental in guiding the build-out and development of the new sausage product lines for JBS. Projects will be heavily focused on product formulation, process development, equipment design, line layouts, cost optimization, process optimization, and developing the specs and quality program to support these products.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in meat science/food science or equivalent with 5-10 years of industry experience or Graduate degree with 3-8 years of experience.
• Processing and operations experience will be a plus and considered in conjunction with R&D experience.
• Extensive background in raw and fully cooked sausage product development is 3+ years of developing the process, formulations, sanitary equipment design, process optimization, yield improvements, equipment design scoping and testing
• FSQA knowledge related to protein product development is strongly preferred
• Experience with natural casings, collagen, co-extrusion, forming, packaging, shelf life and food safety of sausages and sausage products is required
• Pro-active self-starter, willing to take responsibility for completion of business tasks.
• Must be a driven individual that can take ownership of projects and complete all the relevant R&D tasks required for the job with minimal oversight.
• Excellent collaboration, creative problem-solving skills and organizational skills
• Ability to work with ambiguity and pivot quickly
• Must be able to work closely with many internal and external departments including Sales, Regulatory, R&D, Quality, Marketing, Purchasing, and Production, external labs/facilities.
• Must be able to work in a food manufacturing environment and be able to flawlessly transition products and processes from R&D to operations
• Clear, concise written and oral communication skills required with attention to detail and accuracy
• Computer skills that include Word, Excel, PowerPoint. SAP or PLM is a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 50% in the first year then 20% in the following years to manufacturing sites, suppliers, and innovation events
• Can perform the functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation

Nice To Haves

• Processing and operations experience will be a plus and considered in conjunction with R&D experience.
• FSQA knowledge related to protein product development is strongly preferred
• Computer skills that include Word, Excel, PowerPoint. SAP or PLM is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development of new sausage products, from ideation and concept creation to formulation, testing, and transition to full-scale manufacturing.
• Conduct ingredient research and source novel components to support innovative sausage formulations and superior sensory experiences.
• Design and execute structured ideation processes, generating creative concepts that align with company goals and consumer trends.
• Develop and optimize sausage recipes to achieve desired flavor, texture, nutritional profile, and shelf life, ensuring products meet regulatory and quality standards.
• Plan and conduct small and large scale plant trials, oversee scale-up processes, and troubleshoot technical challenges during production transition.
• Creates and manages product specifications and BOM reviews
• Maintains accurate and complete records, analyzes reports
• Utilizes a working knowledge of plant processes and facilities
• Provides onsite monitoring and technical assistance to operations when testing/manufacturing new products
• Leads commercialization of product changes and implementation of new items and processes
• Document all R&D activities, formulations, and ingredient specifications with accuracy and attention to detail
• Works with cross-functional team members to implement new formulations, manufacturing processes and commissioning new equipment and manufacturing lines
• Identify and lead projects to drive revenue and margin growth for the organization
• Stay abreast of industry trends, new technologies, and market dynamics in meat science, food safety, and food processing
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment
• Paid Time Off : sick leave, vacation, and 6 company observed holidays
• 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule
• Incentive Pay: This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s annual bonus plan, the amount of bonus varies and is subject to the standard terms and conditions of the incentive program
• Career Development: Our company is dedicated to supporting professional growth by offering continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level