Analytical Chemist - Food Manufacturing

Griffith Foods Limited; Hazel Green (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Griffith Foods is seeking an R&D Analytical Chemist for the GFNA Analytical Services Team. This role involves performing chemical analyses to support food science decision-making aimed at innovation in key product categories. Candidates should have a related degree and hands-on experience with advanced laboratory instrumentation.

Benefits

Medical Benefits

401(k) Plan with Company Match

Education Assistance/Tuition Reimbursement

Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts

Short Term & Long Term Disability

Qualifications

• 3-5 years’ experience in food industry R&D or FSQS.
• Hands-on experience with advanced laboratory instrumentation.
• Considerable knowledge of laboratory safety policies.

Responsibilities

• Performs routine testing and interprets results.
• Tracks inventory of reagents and consumables.
• Developing advanced wet chemistry skills in the lab.

Skills

Verbal communication

Technical communication

Problem-solving

Education

BS Chemistry

Food Science

Food Technology

Food Chemistry

Tools

GC

HPLC

GC-MS

LCMSMS

ICP

Job description

Alsip, IL 60803 - Griffith Foods Manufacturing Facility, Alsip, Illinois, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM | Expired Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 4:59 AM

Griffith Foods is a global manufacturer of food products. We provide a wide range of taste and texture components for food industry customers throughout the world. Our products include seasoning blends, dry mixes, coating systems, dough blends, crumbs, flavors, sauces and food bases that are used in an extensive variety of application from snack foods and processed meat and poultry to ready meals. Our customers include food processors, restaurant operators and grocery retailers. While our name may not be familiar to consumers, our products are key components of foods offered by many of the world’s best-known companies.

Summary: This position is for R&D Analytical Chemist for the GFNA Analytical Services Team. The GFNA Analytical Laboratory is an R&D /Innovation support function that is utilized by R&D and FSQS Food Scientists to enable technical sound food science decisions. The GFNA Analytical Laboratory is an in-house laboratory that performs industry standard and custom-developed chemical food analyses.

Data produced by the GFNA Analytical Lab is used to provide technical guidance and collaboration in developing superior technological solutions (Proactive and Breakthrough Innovation) for Griffith Foods’ Grow Aggressive Categories (i.e., Alternative Proteins, Sauces and Dressings, and Seasonings), ultimately achieving our Purpose and demonstrating product leadership in these competitive markets.

This position requires the competency level of “Applying” for skills and knowledge or behaviors of the R&D Analytical Chemistry Laboratory.

• Performs and interprets routine testing in a timely and accurate manner, while developing skills for more advanced wet chemistry methods
• Assists in troubleshooting or basic equipment repair
• Capable of performing both routine analyses and interpreting data for those tests
• Developing skills in more advanced wet chemistry lab methods (ICP, YSI, Rheology, etc.) and techniques (pipetting, dilutions, spectrophotometry)
• Recognizes and communicates egregious batch or data issues within routine analyses
• Applies all parts of instrument method to accurately run and report routine liquid chromatography samples
• Basic knowledge of Empower and Masslynx (or similar) software to allow for processing and reporting batch data
• Ability to perform routine LC methods with no supervision
• Basic understanding of UPLC and LCMS theory of operation
• Understands when troubleshooting is necessary and assists in troubleshooting and minor equipment repair with qualified analyst

Gas Chromatography

• Applies all parts of instrument method to accurately run and report routine gas chromatography samples
• Basic Xcalibur / Chromeleon (or similar) software knowledge to allow for processing and reporting of GCMS data
• Ability to perform routine GCMS methods with no supervision
• Basic understanding of GCMS theory of operation
• Understands when troubleshooting is necessary and assists in troubleshooting and minor equipment repair with qualified analyst

Laboratory Management

• Tracks and logs inventory to ensure reagents and consumables are ordered in a timely fashion
• Recognizes when additional testing may be required and communicates that information with senior staff

Elevate Food Science

• When directed, investigate and implement new methodologies needed for innovation, nutrition and FSQS
• Continued, self-driven, learning of food science and industry relevant topics

Qualifications:

• BS Chemistry, Food Science, Food Technology or Food Chemistry or related technical degree.
• 3-5 years’ experience in the food industry R&D or FSQS (experience may include time in academia or a contract laboratory).
• Hands-on experience in wet chemistry and advanced laboratory instrumentation (GC; HPLC; GC-MS; LCMSMS; ICP) including test method development.
• Strong verbal, written and technical communication skills.
• Considerable knowledge of laboratory safety policies and practices.
• Ability to work effectively across cross functional teams.
• Ability to creatively solve problems and independently work.
• Computer skills including Outlook, Excel and Microsoft Office.

Benefits for this role include Medical, Rx, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts, EAP, Health Advocacy, Financial Planning, Parental Leave, Care.com, Adoption & Surrogacy Assistance, Education Assistance/Tuition Reimbursement, Safety Reimbursement, Lifestyle Spending Account, Group Life & AD&D, Voluntary Life Insurance, Short Term & Long Term Disability, 401(k) Plan with Company Match, ESOP, PTO, Holiday’s & Leaves, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Home & Auto Insurance, Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, Long Term Care + Life Insurance & Legal Assistance. There is also potential for a discretionary bonus, this bonus is based on personal & company performance and is not a guaranteed bonus plan.

LI#DNI

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Griffith Foods believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity. Griffith Foods does not discriminate against qualified employees or applicants because of the following actual or perceived characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, genetic characteristic or information, AIDS or HIV status, order of protection status, marital status, military or veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspect of the employer-employee relationship, including recruitment, hiring, participation in benefit programs, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination.

In carrying out our commitment to equal employment opportunity, Griffith Foods will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship, safety, and/or health risk. Applicants and employees requiring reasonable accommodations must notify Human Resources.

Alsip, IL 60803 - Griffith Foods Manufacturing Facility, Alsip, Illinois, United States of America