Summary:  Position to play a pivotal role in creating innovative and high-quality food products aligning with contemporary market trends. As our leader in development and innovation, you will be responsible for conceptualizing, formulating, and refining food products working with CPG brands and national retailers to align with market trends and adhere to regulatory standards. This role requires a blend of creativity, technical expertise, and an understanding of food science and production processes. Individual will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including sales, production, and quality assurance, to ensure the successful development and launch of new products. Your work will directly impact the company's ability to stay competitive in the industry. The ideal candidate will have a passion for food innovation, a strong background in food science and/or a related field, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Major Duties/Responsibilities – other duties assigned as required.

• Blend culinary arts and food science to work with our customer to develop new food products in conjunction with our contemporary frozen food manufacturing plant.
• Assist in data gathering for new product and ingredient specifications.
• Create new recipes and refine profiles with taste and nutritional requirements through experimentation and substitution of ingredients within current formulas and new formulas.
• Formulate within development targets of price, portion sizes, and deliverable markers to meet customer needs.
• Plan, manage, and run sensory evaluation sessions internally and externally with customers.
• Support sales team in the creation of new products for sampling and sales presentations.
• Collaborate with key internal stakeholders to manage the stage gate process of development.
• Communicate organization wide status of R&D projects both by maintaining company database and regular live review of current positions
• Manage production trials on-site at manufacturing facility
• Direct lab staff on product development activity and instruction and prioritization

Qualifications and Position Requirements:

• Food Science Degree or equivalent industry experience with a strong
• A deep understanding of food science, ingredients, and nutrition
• Experience with TraceGains and ESHA applications
• A creative and innovative mindset
• Strong organizational, communication and presentation skills
• An ability to multitask and deal with changing priorities
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Computer literacy
• A keen interest in research
• A logical and investigative mind