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JOB SUMMARY:
Makes
meaningful contributions to Company objectives by providing a highly
developed level of technical competence and experience to lead and/or
support projects with an emphasis on the development of proprietary batter
and processes, product line extensions, product/process improvements, cost
reduction, margin improvement, or other work as assigned.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (other
duties as assigned):
Ø Product
Development:
· Leads,
as assigned, multiple projects from conception to commercialization:
o Coordinates
process initiation after initial guidelines and directions.
o Develops
new batters and battering processes.
o Develops
new product concepts and prototypes.
o Identifies,
selects and approves raw materials for use in batter.
o Specifies
and approves product packaging material, size labeling and other review to
ensure regulatory requirements are met.
o Selects,
applies or recommends the appropriate existing or new manufacturing
processes and equipment.
o Coordinates
and supervises product line tests and production runs, including
scheduling line time, ensuring raw material availability, training
production personnel, and defining and implementing test objectives.
o Leads
the evaluation and adjusting of product and manufacturing cost parameters
to meet operational and sales objectives.
o Trains
other staff members on functional batter attributes.
o Conducts
patent searches in relation to batter development.
Ø Managerial:
· Supervises
one or more Lab Technicians, Sr. Lab Technicians or Food Technologists.
· Provides
skill assessment and developmental paths and work for direct reports.
· Provides
effective cross-functional team leadership as necessary on a project basis.
· Provides
project management leadership for complex work or problems:
o Utilizes
excellent communication skills to organize project teams and activities,
conducts project meetings and tasks, and reports on project progress and
results.
o Contributes
technical knowledge and expertise to identify project risks and rewards,
solves project problems and implements solutions.
o Applies
available resources to effectively meet R&D and Company objectives
(time, equipment, personnel, budget and materials).
Ø Technical Support:
· Provides
technical support to Operations, QA, Procurement, Engineering and other
departments, as assigned, in identifying and solving product design and
manufacturing issues.
· Provides
technical support to R&D in specific areas as in-house primary
resource.
· Provides
technical support to Sales and Marketing in identifying new product
opportunities, marketing plan product attributes and sales points, and
coordinates product presentations for both internal and external customers.
· Designs
and conducts raw material, process and product evaluations and tests.
· Provides
internal expertise in specific areas. Provides technical support to other
department personnel as directed on an as-needed basis.
Ø Customer and Supplier Support:
· Interface
with customers, suppliers and co-packers, as required to meet department
and Company objectives:
o Leads
assigned projects at co-packers.
o Realizes
customer needs by developing new concepts, prototypes and products.
o Leads
raw material sourcing, evaluation, improvement and approval activities
with Purchasing functions and/or suppliers.
o Significantly
supports Sales and Marketing in developing and delivering effective
customer presentations.
o Significantly
supports Sales and Marketing in the training of sales personnel in
existing and new products.
Ø Travel:
· Ability
to travel up to 50% as project load and training requires.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To
perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each
essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are
representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
Ø Minimum Education: B.S. in food science or
food-related sciences (microbiology, chemistry, nutrition) is required.
Ø
Preferred Education:
Master of Science Degree in Food Science, Nutrition or related field
preferred.
Ø
Minimum Experience:
Six (6) years of Food industry experience. Experience developing batters, dry
blends, etc. preferred.
Ø Preferred Experience:
Ten (10) years of Food industry experience.
MINIMUM FIELD OF EXPERTISE:
Ø Knowledge:
- Working
knowledge of general mathematics and scientific weights and measures.
- Working
knowledge of base batter ingredients and their functionalities.
- Strong working
knowledge of food laws and regulations required, including
nutritional facts development (NLEA), ingredient declarations,
develop formulas and maintain proper R&D documentation.
- Demonstrates
thorough understanding of Food manufacturing operations and
production facilities, possesses extensive familiarity with
production equipment and capabilities.
- Working
knowledge of advanced scientific method, experimental design tools
and statistical process control concepts.
- Applies
scientific principles and analytical methodologies to assigned
projects and problems.
- Performs
mathematical calculations and utilizes statistical techniques to
analyze and present data.
- Ability to
perform mathematical calculations and utilize statistical techniques
to analyze and present data.
Ø Skills: Administrative:
- Strong
organizational skills.
- Ability to
manage and supervise personnel and projects.
- Ability to
function in a highly paced environment.
- Ability to work
with all levels of labor and management.
- Excellent
telephone skills.
Ø Skills:
Machine:
- Ability to use
basic office equipment.
- Working
knowledge of standard software systems.
- Ability to use
laboratory equipment.
Ø Working Conditions:
- Occasional
bending, reaching, climbing.
Ø Physical Demands:
- Handling,
repetitive finger manipulation activities, repetitive motions,
standing for extended periods.
Ø Communication:
- Excellent interpersonal
skills.
- Excellent oral
and written communication skills.
- Ability to
interact with customers, suppliers and co-packers.
- Strong ability
to maintain confidentiality.
Ø Representation:
- Ability to represent
the Research and Development Department in this organization in a
professional and positive manner.
Ø Authorization:
- Purchase card
limit - $1,000
- Access to all
R&D areas
Ø Supervision:
- Direct = 0-2,
Indirect = 0-2
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