Food Scientist I - Concord, NC

Working with some supervision, the Food Scientist I is responsible for the development of new products across Coffee, Tea and Extracts from concept to commercialization. Requires work with multi-disciplinary groups to innovate, optimize and customize food ingredients. Consults directly with sales and customers to meet expectations.

Primary Job Functions:
Product Development
Project Requests
Technical Support
Raw material assessment
Additional tasks or projects outside "core" responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

Product Development
* Develop new product prototypes and optimization to existing products
* Improve existing products by optimizing product attributes
* Develop and maintain accurate records related to the products such as formulas, label development, production process, HACCP, product specification, nutritional data, shelf life, etc.
* Participate on product development teams and cross-functional teams as applicable

Project Requests
* Completes project requests as assigned
* Provide basic application samples and usage recommendations, as needed

Technical Support
* Provide technical support to customers seeking product information and advice as it pertains to product application/usage levels
* Travel with senior staff and Salesperson on customer demonstrations; work with R&D on site.
* Provide comprehensive reports on basic data analysis and summaries

Raw Material Assessment
* Evaluate and analyze risk of new or existing ingredients
* Evaluate new raw materials and conduct sensory analysis with a cross-functional group.
* Evaluate technical specification documentation for compliance with S&D requirements

Additional tasks or projects outside "core" responsibility
* Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

* Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering or related field
* 0-5 years of Product Development experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience
* Understanding of food science principles
* Sensory skills and knowledge of sensory evaluation techniques.
* Experience and knowledge with nutritional data generation and regulatory requirements from USDA and FDA as well as State and local health and food safety code.
* Knowledge of SQF quality systems and related requirements.
* Combination of analytical skills and creative thinking.
* Must have excellent PC computer skills and ability to manage data electronically.
* Self-motivated, outgoing, self-starter
* Must be hard working, reliable and accurate, and able to produce quality lab work at high work load.
* Must be willing to travel when needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Vets / Disabled