Senior Research and Development Food Scientist/Chemist

Morton Salt•Elgin, IL

About The Position

Morton Salt is an iconic company with a strong heritage and a bright future. Since 1848, we have been improving lives and enhancing everyday moments – at home, at work and virtually everywhere in between. We help unlock the flavors in food, make roads and sidewalks safer, improve the water in baths, pools, and homes, and keep businesses and industries running. We are a dedicated team who constantly strives to do better together, and we are passionate about building a sustainable future for our company, the communities in which we operate, and the world around us. By joining our team, you will contribute to producing and delivering every form of salt that enhances everyday life. Job Summary Senior Research and Development (R&D) Food Scientist / Chemist dual role to support Morton Salt innovation, growth opportunities, and improvements within the core business. Actively involved with R&D activities and projects across the organization, including support for product development, reformulation, ingredient changes, and operational support. Acts as the food science lead for the R&D group directly working with FSQR, Marketing, Sales, Innovation, and Supply Chain. Accountable for setting deliverables of work product, executing work plans and communicating with project and stakeholder teams. As part of the R&D team, this role shares R&D team responsibilities and goals including work safety, housekeeping, R&D facility upkeep/regulatory compliance, supporting fellow R&D team members on other projects, and contributing towards team achievement of R&D annual business goals. As a chemist, this role also executes salt laboratory work as a direct contributor for salt testing for all types of salt products and all R&D methods of analysis.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a food science related field, such as food science, nutrition, chemistry, etc.
Minimum of 10 years’ experience in FSQR and/or R&D within the Food, Pharmaceutical or Agricultural industry.
Demonstrated experience in working in plant and laboratory environments.
Must be 100% proficient and independent in an R&D laboratory, capable of efficiently executing (at times) high volumes of sample testing.
Proficiency in wet chemistry (titrations, dilutions, etc.)
Up to 60% in the laboratory.
Familiarity and able to work in manufacturing/plant environments and capturing samples from manufacturing processes.
Highly self-motivated, high energy and ability to work independently and team contributor and collaborator, show initiative, and drive positive changes in systems, processes, and culture.
Well-developed interpersonal communication skills and able to manage conflict in a stressful environment.
Ability to effectively communicate and present information to all levels throughout the Morton Salt organization, occasionally under conditions of urgency and in pressure situations.
Experience in “design of experiment”, computational analysis, and data analysis/statistical validation.
Ability to travel to sites domestically and internationally as necessary (up to 25%).

Nice To Haves

Masters in Food & Nutritional Sciences
Preferred experience in Food Safety Quality and Regulatory

Responsibilities

Leads Research and Development activities for food science including: food application testing, reformulation, product innovation, sensory testing, and ingredient sourcing changes.
Subject matter expertise to focus on (but not limited to) seasonings & spices, and ingredient blends.
Leads or supports laboratory testing in the food applications lab, food lab, wet chemistry lab, and other analytical capabilities in R&D.
Support the collaborative partnerships with Supply Chain, FSQR, Sales, Operations, Marketing, and Innovation team to provide timely technical support to meet the business needs.
Technology exploration (research) and feasibility analysis on new opportunities and ideas.
Maintains competitive intelligence within food science, including emerging technologies and disruptive sciences.
Engagement with 3rd parties, including customers, vendors, and at industry forums and conferences.
Generating technical reports and presenting results and recommendations for project/business leadership.
Technical support on issues or non-project customer-focused needs, particularly technical guidance with food applications and solutions for culinary (retail) or B2B food processing and food service customers.
As the designated food safety lead for R&D, this role is responsible for maintaining food safety certification and compliance for the R&D location in order to create and consume food safe samples.
Member of the safety team; supporting waste handling, chemical inventory documentation, chemical ordering and miscellaneous tasks required for the safe operation of the facility.