Sr. Product Development Food Scientist

Heartland FPG•Indianapolis, IN

6h•Onsite

About The Position

Heartland Food Products Group is a global leader in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, producing low-calorie sweeteners, coffee, coffee creamers and liquid water enhancers. We manufacture and market Splenda, the #1 brand in the low calorie sweetener category and the most recognized in the world. Our goal is to transform the sweetener category from commoditized ingredients to a destination that unleashed shopper’s potential for better, healthier baking and beverages. We make coffee, tea and water taste better and help people live happier, healthier and longer lives by making it easy to reduce sugar. We offer an excellent compensation and benefits package. Come grow with us! This role is not a remote opportunity, it is on-site at our Manufacturing Plant in Indianapolis, Indiana. Scope: The Sr. Product Development Food Scientist, will lead and drive product innovation projects, product renovation projects, and alternate material projects for the company. Key categories will include protein and nutrition beverages, creamers, non-nutritive sweeteners, liquid water enhancers, liquid concentrates, tea beverages, coffee products and flavored drinks. The duties in this position are expected to evolve over time as a result of the company’s growth and expansion into new technologies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related disciplines required.
Minimum of 7 years of food industry product development experience.
Experience leading product development projects from concept to commercialization.
Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and drive the opportunity to completion
Excellent problem-solving skills
Comfortable working cross functionally and leading project teams
Excellent organizational and communication (oral and written) skills, proficiency in speaking, comprehending, reading and writing English required.
Excellent mathematical skills and knowledge of, or ability to learn, statistical analysis required.
Computer literacy including competency with Microsoft Office and demonstrated ability to operate complex software programs required.
Working knowledge of government regulations and rules of certification bodies such as Kosher, Halal, Organic, and others as applicable to business.
Able to multitask, work alone with light supervision and in a team environment.
Enjoys working in laboratory and pilot plant.
Fast learner, flexible and willing to help where needed.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Experience working with dairy proteins preferred.

Responsibilities

Leads product development projects (innovation, renovation, alternate materials) from concept to commercialization.
Provides leadership to the organization in the areas of food science and R&D.
Designs new products based on targeted flavor profile, texture, color, shelf life and nutritional content while maintaining adherence to government and industry standards.
Creates nutrition labels and ingredient lists using nutrition labeling software and understanding of government regulations.
Develops specifications for finished products with physical, chemical, and sensory properties.
Develops batching instructions for pilot plant and operations.
Generates and optimizes costs of formulations in collaboration with procurement and finance.
Collaborates with ingredient vendors to obtain best product results, costing and supply.
Leads pilot and commercial scale up trials and monitors first three commercial productions.
Regularly collaborates with Operations and advises solutions for production issues.
Maintains and organizes physical and electronic formulation records.
Support logistics on the verification of ingredients in inventory for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
Assures all activities follow Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and all required Company policies and procedures.
Follows GMP’s, maintains sanitary conditions, adheres to safe work practices and ensures that product quality is maintained.