Job Title: Food Scientist
Job Description

This position is responsible for preparing, blending, developing, and formulating solutions to project requests made through Sales or as part of internal project directives. The role entails liaising between Technical, Sales, Customer Care, Quality, and Operations Teams to ensure customer project needs are met in a timely manner. The application scientist will provide technical support to all directed internal and external inquiries and will require in-person customer visits where advanced technical guidance is needed. The application scientist will manage associate scientists and/or lab technicians. Adherence to all operating procedures, safety regulations, company policies, and local, state, and federal employment laws is mandatory. The role will require up to 25% travel to client sites and trade shows.

ResponsibilitiesDevelop technical solutions for customer-driven and marketing-driven food and beverage projects from bench-top to commercial scale levels in laboratory, pilot plant, and plant processing environments.Provide technical and application support to customers, building insights based on development learnings to accelerate customer development timelines.Develop and maintain close liaisons with technical stakeholders at key customers, delivering a superior customer service experience and value-added solutions promptly.Collaborate with the manager to improve technical sales support and internal technical customer support processes.Manage and resolve strategic and sensitive issues, complete assigned projects timely, and ensure all technical and customer requirements are met.Take ownership of technical support, prototype development, and product displays needed for trade shows and other marketing activities in collaboration with the marketing department.Work with the manager to improve the overall technical expertise, scientific rigor, and processes of the application team.Stay current with food ingredient chemistry and functionality in color formulations and industry trends.Train internal and external customers on all technical aspects of the business as needed.Provide internal support to high-priority projects and update necessary technical training programs.Work closely with Production and Quality/Regulatory Departments to review, recommend, and implement changes to new and existing products through the manufacturing and QA/QC process.Approve specifications of raw materials and packing materials used for applications manufactured by the company.Develop testing methods for all applications manufactured by the company.Maintain a laboratory notebook and all required documentation for project work.Complete monthly reporting and report all key project metrics as required.Ensure compliance with regulations governing colors manufactured or distributed by the company in assigned regions.Read, follow, and complete all Sample Manufacturing Log sheets.Adhere to all safety and quality requirements, offer suggestions to enhance site safety, and report all incidents/accidents to management immediately.Follow all SOPs, GLPs, and GMPs as needed.Perform daily cleaning tasks to ensure a sanitary work area.Strive to improve processes and reduce overall cost.Essential SkillsBachelor’s degree in Food Science or related area from a four-year college or university; and three (3) to five (5) years related experience or training in beverage, snacks, or meat industries; or MS in Food Science or related area with a minimum of two (2) years of food application experience in a food company.Experience with color/ingredient applications, customer presentations, program/system planning, statistical reporting/analysis, and cost/benefit analysis preferred.In-depth understanding and practical experience with production/manufacturing preferred.Ability to apply commonsense to solve problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.Ability to work on cross-functional projects alone and as part of a team is critical.Ability to perform at a high level in a continuously changing work pace is essential.Excellent written, verbal, and group presentation communication skills.Additional Skills & QualificationsExperience with food science, food application, food color, flavoring, and flavorist.Work Environment

The work requires the ability to sustain periods of concentrated attention to detail. It can be physically demanding, requiring standing, walking, stooping, reaching, climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. Regularly, it will involve lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or moving objects weighing up to 25 pounds. The work may require the use of tools or equipment that necessitate a high degree of dexterity and the use of close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, as well as depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I are embedded into our culture through:

Hiring diverse talent Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.