Job Title: R&D Scientist

Reports to: R&D Fruit Formulation & Process Manager

Number of Direct Reports: 0

Key Internal Partners: Marketing, Sales, Industrial Team, Operations, Purchasing & Quality

Key External Partners: Customers, Suppliers, Service Providers, R&D groups, academic institutions

Location: Nampa, ID

Job Summary:

The R&D Scientist ensures the development of both product and process to fulfill the needs requested by the marketing team.

Job Responsibilities & Tasks:

• Development, validation and implementation of new products/processes
• Works in a cross-functional manner with vendors and internal teams to develop and launch commercial products
• Supports the optimization of existing products
• Manage simple local projects under the direction of R&D manager
• Assists with nutritional labeling, product & packaging specifications
• Works and actively contributes to continuous improvements projects
• Holds self and others accountable for measurable high quality, timely and cost effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes and complies with established policies and procedures
• Assists technicians to master essential skills/techniques

Key Performance Indicator (KPI):

• Innovation: Number of prospective ideas contributed to group, number of ideas shown to marketing and approved
• Management: Effective leads R&D projects – (project KPI, Clear communication to key members (marketing, operations, sales, etc) on project status
• Operational: Number of process improvement (inter and/or intra department) initiatives
• Industrial: Number of SOP, active participation in industrial trials – percentage of, participation in local operational studies – number of, cross-functional personnel feedback favorable
• Development: Additional training (conferences, classes, etc) – number of, number of initiated and operated as leader of training sessions

Position Requirements:

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, Nutrition or related field

EXPERIENCE

• 1-4 years’ experience required.
• Experience in a plant or manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Experience in the food industry working on new product development or in the R&D industry preferred

SKILLS

• Limited assistance to meet expected project objectives
• Capable of managing personal time/projects with limited management assistance
• Understands the full scope and impact of projects
• Provides input into business decisions with support from R&D Manager
• Works through business priorities with support of R&D manager.
• Has a good working knowledge in the field
• Quick to understand and apply new concepts
• Works cross-functionally with team members across the organization.
• Successful in multi-tasking and delivering results on time with limited assistance
• Basic problem-solving skills to complex problems

PHYSICAL & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to work in normal office conditions and in the manufacturing plant.
• Must be able to wear PPE
• Must be able to work a minimum of 8 hours per day and be on his/her feet for extended periods of time
• Must be able to travel up to 10% of the time