Principal
Scientist - New Product Development Salads
Full-Time
- Salinas, CA, United States
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Chiquita
Brands International, a leading international marketer and distributor of
fresh and processed food products is pleased to accept applications for a
Principal Scientist in Food Science and Technology or Food Microbiology for
their R&D department located in Salinas, California.
The highly motivated, successful applicant will be responsible for the
identification, development, and commercialization of new products and
product improvements, and for supporting business and marketing improvement
initiatives for our salad product line. The successful incumbent is expected
to effectively lead the research in the area of commercial vegetable
processing, including pre- and post-processing treatment, storage, and
packaging design. Responsibilities also include documentation and
identification of drivers for quality of new and existing products and
processes to ensure the sustainable growth and profitability of the company.
Focus of this position will be on the development and commercial
implementation of new or improved salad products, research of interactions
among variety, maturity, processing, and storage on quality for fresh-cut
vegetables, the relationship of processing parameters to the microstructure
and sensory attributes of fresh-cut vegetables, control of the
microbiological quality and safety of vegetables, intervention technologies
for reducing spoilage microorganisms and pathogens, application of food grade
antimicrobial agents, novel and rapid methods for the detection of human
pathogens and their control. The applicant will be expected to work inside
vegetable processing plants under challenging temperature conditions, able to
lift up to 50 lbs. Domestic travel will be required to locations in
California, Georgia, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas for up to 15% of the
time. The applicant is expected to possess a valid driver’s license.
Preference will be given to applicants with experience in food microbiology,
postharvest physiology, processing, new product development and packaging
design for fresh-cut vegetables in an industrial or applied research
environment and to bilingual (English/Spanish) applicants.
Job Responsibilities:
- Work cross-functionally to
develop new products and processes, improve existing products and to
effectively solve problems.
- Develop new or improved ways of
harvesting, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering fresh
vegetables.
- Adopt and use innovative
diagnostic tools and processing technologies to improve product quality,
to detect and control spoilage microorganisms and human pathogens.
- Apply consumer research and
sensory testing to product development and improvement.
- Improve existing products by
optimizing processes and product attributes (sensory properties, cost,
post-harvest quality and nutritional profiles).
- Respond to incoming
field/manufacturing/customer questions and by providing detailed
technical research-based information and documentation.
- Design and execute experiments
(laboratory and plant level) and prepare results for review.
- Select raw materials and
equipment, define operational conditions, manage commissioning of new
equipment, conduct trials, and conduct shelf-life testing of products.
- Design and organize microbial,
sensory, and nutritional analyses.
- Develop raw product, finished
product, and processing specifications.
- Develop and review nutritional
labels for new and existing products.
- Assist with the implementation
and scale-up of new products and processes.
- Maintain accurate and complete
records, and report findings in the form of technical documents,
presentations, and standard operating procedures.
- Responsible for technical
leadership in the area of processing, packaging, microbiological quality
and safety of fresh-cut vegetables.
- Responsible for creating and
managing project plans and timelines.
- Effectively present research
findings to other members of the organization, growers, industry and
university collaborators.
- Effectively supervise
employees.
- Manage and maintain R&D
laboratory, microbiological, chemical and physical laboratory equipment
and supplies.
- Maintain accurate and complete
records and data bases, and report findings in the form of reports,
technical documents and presentations.
- Provide and promote
collaboration with university-based researchers to facilitate research
and implementation of results.
Required Education:
- Minimum of MS degree in Food
Science and Technology, Food Microbiology, Postharvest Technology or
closely related field. PhD desired.
Required Experience:
- Minimum 5 years
experience in an industrial or applied research environment in
the area of food science and technology, food microbiology, postharvest
physiology, processing, or new product development for fresh-cut
vegetables.
- Demonstrated experience with
the experimental design, execution and management of laboratory and
Pilot Study trials, and data collection.
Required Skills:
- Highly proficient with
statistical analysis programs such as MS Excel, Word, Power Point, SigmaPlot, SAS, Statistica,
Minitab or JMP software programs.
- Versed in food safety standards
of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA Food Safety standards, and
preventative controls, and FSMA Regulations on Produce.
- Demonstrated working-knowledge
in data-mining and statistical analysis, and proficiency or ability to
learn data base management.
- Strong interpersonal skills and
demonstrated ability to work with cross functional teams, internally and
externally (e.g. research institutes, representatives of processing and
produce industries, suppliers, laboratories, etc.)
- Demonstrated project management
skills.
- Demonstrated problem-solving
skills (pays attention to details and effort to understand causes
instead of just the effects) and creativity for developing innovative
solutions and applications.
- Excellent written and oral
communication skills with strong emphasis on technical presentations and
reports.
- Ability to effectively manage
multiple projects under short time lines to produce commercially viable
solutions.
- Excellent analytical skills,
knowledge in statistical analysis, attention to detail and the ability
to multi-task in a fast paced environment.
About
Chiquita Brands International
Chiquita
Brands International, Inc. (NYSE: CQB) is a leading international marketer
and distributor of high-quality fresh and value-added food products - from
energy-rich bananas and other fruits to nutritious blends of convenient green
salads. The company markets its healthy, fresh products under the Chiquita(R)
and Fresh Express(R) premium brands and other related trademarks. With annual
revenues of more than $3 billion, Chiquita employs more than 21,000 people
and has operations in nearly 70 countries worldwide. For more information,
please visit www.chiquitabrands.com.
In
the United States, Chiquita Brands International, Inc. requires that
applicants provide authorization and consent to a background check and a drug
screen to continue in the selection process. All employment offers are
contingent on meeting our background check standards and successful passing
of required drug test. If hired, you will be required to provide documentation
indicating your legal right to work in the U.S which may be verified through
Chiquita's participation in the E-Verify program.
As
an Equal Opportunity employer, Chiquita Brands International and its
subsidiaries provide an environment that promotes individual recognition and
achievement. We recruit, hire, train, compensate and promote associates
without regard to race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin,
disability or veteran's status.
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