Position Description:
Dr. Praegers Sensible Foods was founded in 1994 with the mission to create nutritious and convenient frozen food that tasted so delicious, it would make it easier to help people adopt better eating habits. Motivated by what they saw in their practice, Drs. Praeger and Somberg, medical partners and cardiothoracic surgeons, set out to create products that would encourage sensible eating. They knew ingredients had to be nutritious and simple, that everything had to be delicious, and that their products needed to be easy to prepare. While the world has changed since the business started, Dr. Praegers remains true to its founders vision. Were grounded in using real, recognizable ingredients to make great-tasting products that families love.
In 2021, Vestar Capital Partners, a leading private equity firm, acquired a majority ownership stake alongside the original families. The capital and strategic support from Vestar and its network of experienced advisors will help drive long-term growth. This makes working at dr. Praegers a unique opportunity to work in a fast moving, collaborative and results driven environment.
Position Overview:
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Food Scientist to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food science, chemistry or a related field. This role involves developing food products, improving existing ones, drive cost savings and brand maintenance and ensuring all products meet safety and quality standards.
Job Responsibilities:
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Work with internal and external customers to deliver new product concepts that meet design specifications in a timely manner.
- Plans, coordinates, and executes product development task, including but not limited to sample prep, trial management, new ingredient sourcing and product or ingredient maintenance activities.
- Support and lead departmental initiatives to drive continuous improvement in the development process and areas impacted by it. Ex Plant trials, Sample Request
- Serve as technical and scientific expert on ingredient functionality, regulatory requirements and product functionality and properties.
- Organize and support all levels of sensory and product evaluation, as needed.
- Monitors marketplace for new trends, products, and/or flavors and competitor products and development activities.
- Accurately observes, records, analyzes and reports development data to meet project and customer objectives.
- Provides timely and accurate feedback to internal and external customers on project related activities.
- Supports adherence to development process steps and compliance requirements. Utilizes systems appropriately.
- Coordinates 3rd party laboratory testing, analyze data and interpret appropriately to report results and make appropriate development decisions.
- Supports management of project cost.
- Understand and operate by the principles of Stage Gate for development projects.
- Demonstrate good understanding of quality control and quality assurance methods and standards.
- Ensure compliance with plant safety standards and applicable regulatory requirements while following the companys Good Manufacturing Processes.
- Ability to work off shifts as needed. Travel may be required, including international.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications/skills:
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Bachelors Degree in Food Science, Food Processing/Engineering, Nutrition, or related field
- 3+ years of progressive Product Development experience in a food manufacturing company.
- Technical knowledge of food manufacturing processes, equipment, packaging.
- Knowledge of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance principles related to formulation.
- Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
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Demonstrated sense of urgency and sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills with the ability to speak to a diverse audience spanning from staff to executive levels
- Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills using data to draw conclusions and implement solutions
- Ability to work independently or as part of a team to accomplish organization goals.
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Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Software and Tools.
Dr. Praegers Sensible Foods is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics or other characteristics protected by law.