Research and Development Associate jobs in Southaven, MS

Description

Responsible for assisting in managing the St. Clair Foods Research and Product Development Department, testing and formulating recipes from benchtop to production, working with and implementing ingredients, maintaining current product quality, working closely with the Purchasing, Quality Control, Production, and Sales Departments.

This position reports to the Research & Development Director, dotted line VP and CEO.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Create new products/formulations.

· Match existing products/formulations using samples/formulas from customers. 

· Manage the scale-up of new products/formulations (from bench-top to production). 

· Maintain and/or improve current product quality using knowledge of food ingredients, bases, stabilizers, starches, preservatives, etc.

· Create and maintain ingredient statements, NFPs, and FDA and USDA labels utilizing Genesis Nutritional Database and other computer programs

· Manage customer requests for new and existing products and be able to work with customers’ staff.

· Manage Vendor samples, new ingredients, specification sheets, and approvals.

· Manage finished product specifications. 

· Work with sales team for customer recipe development, sampling, product handling, training, and any other Product Development related business.

· Work closely with purchasing and QC departments 

· Occasional travel <10%

Qualifications:

· Bachelor of Science or Art from a four-year college or university, and at least 2 years of experience in a food-related business. 

· Basic computer skills, knowledgeable on Excel, Word, Genesis, ability to learn computer programs applicable to food production 

· Strong verbal and written communication skills. 

· Team oriented: willingness to give and receive constructive feedback and work in a highly collaborative environment

· Be able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and make written reports. 

· Judgment: able to make judgement calls in critical situations

· Strategic Thinking: displays critical thinking skills, proactive in decision making 

· Problem Solving: leverages a proactive & creative approach to issues/roadblocks

Work Environment:

· Frequently exposed to cold and wet and/or humid conditions in order to perform the essential functions of this job. 

· Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, airborne particles and extreme cold.

· Frequently performing job duties while on your feet for extended periods of time.

Requirements

Qualifications:

· Bachelor of Science or Art from a four-year college or university, and at least 2 years of experience in a food-related business. 

· Basic computer skills, knowledgeable on Excel, Word, Genesis, ability to learn computer programs applicable to food production 

· Strong verbal and written communication skills. 

· Team oriented: willingness to give and receive constructive feedback and work in a highly collaborative environment

· Be able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and make written reports. 

· Judgment: able to make judgement calls in critical situations

· Strategic Thinking: displays critical thinking skills, proactive in decision making 

· Problem Solving: leverages a proactive & creative approach to issues/roadblocks