Sr. Food Scientist

C.H. Guenther & Son•San Antonio, TX

4d•$86,855 - $159,414

About The Position

This position will be responsible for innovation, maintenance and enhancement of existing products bakery category. This includes a variety of frozen dough and fully-baked items within the bakery space including biscuits, buns, English muffins, and pizza. This individual will interact directly with operations, finance, sales, quality and marketing regarding all aspects of the new product development. Extensive interfacing with manufacturing is required during the project implementation phase and when executing cost-saving projects. Emphasis on the ability to operate independently and be highly adaptable to change. Duties and Responsibilities: Serves as technical support liaison for product development project requests by communicating with representatives regarding development progress and feedback, communicating with other departments as necessary regarding the project, assisting with providing information necessary for customers, conducting product presentations and troubleshooting technical problems. Coordinates project activities by clarifying completion data target, price target and customer requirements, identifying the acceptable prototype target, developing timelines, identifying functions needed to be performed, designing and formulating the benchmark prototype, identifying specifications, obtaining approval and scaling up product in plant operation from bench prototype. Performs administrative duties by keeping records and lab notebooks, providing written and oral updates on projects, communicating with the corporate accounts group and research and development, recording results of analytical measurements and completing other documentation as required. Develops new product concepts by remaining current on literature and periodicals, attending conferences and seminars, maintaining contact with peers in the food industry and investigating new product ideas. Supervises personnel by assigning work to laboratory assistants, providing training, remaining current on project status and coordinating training and seminars for personnel. Conducts product demonstrations by assisting with the planning process, preparing products for display, making presentations and supporting other departments during the trade shows.

Requirements

Work requires broad knowledge in a general professional or technical field. Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Valid Driver’s License
Minimum of ten years of food research/product development experience is required
Yeast experience in a food manufacturing environment required
Formulation experience in chemically leavened products required
Proficiency of principles required for successful development and commercialization of food products.
Proficiency of scientific principles and methods required to perform new product development.
Strong project management skills
Experience within retail and food service product commercialization.
Strong working knowledge and experience with food manufacturing facilities.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Knowledge of GMPs and AIB.
Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of associates and ranging from entry level to executive level positions.
Ability to manage multiple tasks, often with competing deadlines.
Ability to work independently with limited direct supervision.
Must be self-starter.
Proficient use of computer and Microsoft software, PLM experience a plus
Ability to travel up to 35%

Nice To Haves

Experience in grain science and cereal chemistry preferred
Experience in yeast risen high speed production facilities a plus
Understanding of Stage Gate Innovation process a plus
Consumer packaged goods and food service product development experience a plus
Experience analyzing consumer insights
Ability to partner with Marketing teams on line extensions, renovation, competitive analysis and product line/capabilities gap analysis.

Responsibilities

Serves as technical support liaison for product development project requests by communicating with representatives regarding development progress and feedback, communicating with other departments as necessary regarding the project, assisting with providing information necessary for customers, conducting product presentations and troubleshooting technical problems.
Coordinates project activities by clarifying completion data target, price target and customer requirements, identifying the acceptable prototype target, developing timelines, identifying functions needed to be performed, designing and formulating the benchmark prototype, identifying specifications, obtaining approval and scaling up product in plant operation from bench prototype.
Performs administrative duties by keeping records and lab notebooks, providing written and oral updates on projects, communicating with the corporate accounts group and research and development, recording results of analytical measurements and completing other documentation as required.
Develops new product concepts by remaining current on literature and periodicals, attending conferences and seminars, maintaining contact with peers in the food industry and investigating new product ideas.
Supervises personnel by assigning work to laboratory assistants, providing training, remaining current on project status and coordinating training and seminars for personnel.
Conducts product demonstrations by assisting with the planning process, preparing products for display, making presentations and supporting other departments during the trade shows.