Under direction of the Director of Brand & Product and the Product Development and Innovation Lead, responsibilities of this role include supporting Vermont Creamery innovation projects, executing portions of or entire projects, conducting R&D trials related to innovation and process improvement, and contributing to the ideation and development of innovation ideas. A candidate must have a solid understanding of food science and analytical principals and be able to apply scientific methodology to solve complex problems.
The R&D Scientist will be part of a fast-paced team that will engage heavily within the Vermont Creamery and Dairy Foods R&D organization but will also have exposure to cross-functional partners (Marketing, Sales, Sourcing, Quality, Operations, External Supply Chain, Consumer Insights, Brand Design, and Finance). This position will also play a key role as a technical expert for the production team.
The best candidate will have the ability to be adaptable, detail oriented, curious, and customer service driven; with a strong sense of urgency, ability to problem solve, and ability to work both independently and in collaboration with cross functional partners. Culinary experience and ability to innovate on benchtop as well as scale up is highly desired.
Schedule: Days
Pay: Starting range of $65k- $85k
Required Qualifications & Experiences
- 18 years or older.
- Basic computer skills.
Demonstrates a strong curiosity about food-its production, flavor profiles, and consumer perception-paired with a genuine enthusiasm for creating and exploring memorable food experiences.
Ability to read, write, comprehend, follow verbal and written instructions, and possess basic mathematical skills.
Preferred Qualifications & Experiences
- 1+ years of continuous prior experience in any industry.
- Bachelor's degree in food science, food technology/process, or similar
- Self-Reliant and able to accurately work under limited supervision and as collaboratively as part of a team.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Customer focused
- Able to meet a flexible project and work schedule as required
- Able to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience with commercial data and spec management systems are a plus.
- Knowledge or experience with GMPs and food safety and ingredient quality principles are a plus
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
- Lead and support Vermont Creamery innovation and renovation projects.
- Perform, gather, and interpret data using scientific methodology in support of key project efforts and new product development.
- Lead and support plant trials, pilot plant trials, and benchtop trials- including developing protocols, running trials, analyzing data, and reporting the results.
- Partner with cross-functional teams- Vermont Creamery and Land O' Lakes teams- to execute projects.
- Provide technical knowledge to support production team as required.
- Keep up to date on emerging technologies (products, processes, and ingredients) as well as implement and support new technologies to achieve project and business objectives.
- Collaborate internally and externally, and leverage supplier resources against key initiatives.
- Provide culinary and scientific expertise to design and scale new product innovations, taking product/process/package interactions and overall manufacturability into consideration.
- Manage shelf-life studies and sensory evaluations - sample attainment, scheduling and evaluation.
- Ship and receive packages as needed for R&D.
- Follows all procedures, GMPS, Safety, Quality, and Sanitation plans.
- Support creation, updating and validation of product specs in corporate systems
- Other duties as assigned.
Essential Physical Requirements
- Frequent movement including walking, standing, bending/stooping, turning, twisting, pushing, pulling, raising arms, lifting, climbing and other active movements.
- Performing duties while wearing personal protective equipment.
- Working across temperature zones that may include cold and/or hot environments for extended periods and may include work in environments where dust is present.
- Shift schedules that include days, nights, and weekends, some holidays and periodic overtime.
About Land O'Lakes, Inc.
Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.
Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).
Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.
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