Job Summary:

The Food Scientist and Technologist will research food safety, new means of creating and improving food products, and methods to supplement and maintain the national food supply.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Analyzes food content to identify levels of nutrients, vitamins, fat, sugar, or protein.
• Ascertains the maturity or stability of raw ingredients; evaluates the safety, quality, and nutritional value of finished products.
• Identifies substitution or removal methods for harmful or undesirable food additives such as nitrates.
• Identifies the preferred or most efficient methods of cooking specific foods to optimize and preserve vitamins, nutrients, and physical characteristics.
• Using data including consumer feedback, searches for and identifies new foods.
• Ensures sanitation, quality, safety, and waste management standards are met within food processing areas.
• Enforces industry and government regulations by inspecting food processing areas.
• Maintains current knowledge of new regulations and developments in food science, which may include reading scientific journals and attending conferences.
• Resolves product development issues in collaboration with plant operators, packaging and marketing specialists, process engineers, or flavor experts.
• Develops standards, specifications, and regulations for food production, safety, sanitation, waste management, and water supply.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Thorough, applied understanding of a variety of sciences, which may include physics, biotechnology, engineering, microbiology, or chemistry.
• Thorough, applied understanding of food processing operations, food laws and regulations, food analysis, and food engineering.
• Ability to analyze various components of food, processing, and packaging and properly interpret and report results.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Food Science, Agricultural Science, or related area required; Masters degree preferred.
• At least three years of related experience highly preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.