Associate Food Scientist

Ardent Mills; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company is seeking an Associate Food Scientist to join their dynamic product development team. This exciting role involves collaborating with food scientists to create prototypes, source raw materials, and conduct trials to support groundbreaking food innovations. You will play a vital role in ensuring product quality and functionality while working in a collaborative environment that values creativity and integrity. If you have a passion for food science and a desire to make a meaningful impact in the industry, this is the perfect opportunity for you to thrive and grow your career.

Qualifications

• 1+ year industry experience in food science or related field.
• Strong understanding of food chemistry and sensory analysis.

Responsibilities

• Support food scientist research projects and manage documentation.
• Consult with vendors and maintain records of work processes.

Skills

Food Chemistry

Microbiology

Data Analysis

Laboratory Techniques

Communication Skills

Creative Thinking

Education

B.S. in Food Science

Chemical Engineering

Chemistry

Tools

Statistical Software

R&D Equipment

Job description

PRODUCT INNOVATION R&D: ASSOCIATE FOOD SCIENTIST

Ardent Mills is a premier flour-milling and ingredients company whose vision is to be the trusted partner in nurturing its customers, consumers and communities through innovative and nutritious grain-based solutions. Ardent Mills’ operations and services are supported by 35 community flour mills, three bakery-mix facilities and a specialty bakery, all located in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Deeply rooted in communities throughout North America, Ardent Mills employs more than 100 certified millers, supporting thousands of local jobs and contributing billions of dollars to local economies.

Position Purpose:

Ardent Mills is looking for an Associate Food Scientist. From concept to prototype samples, this role is responsible for delivering products on time that meet sensory, functionality, quality, and cost expectations of their defined categories and customer channels. This position will be involved with documentation, formulations, pilot testing and commercialization touch points, vendor visits, ordering and testing raw materials, shelf-life studies, and lab sanitation and cleanliness.

The Associate Food Scientist is an intrinsic member of the product development team and will support food scientists in developing applications and supporting experimentation of ingredients to support breakthrough innovation and customer development projects. With a focus on the CPG, this person will play an important role in maximizing the successful utilization of Ardent Mills’ ingredients to support customer success through both customer specific projects and proactive innovation.

A successful candidate will have the following attributes:

• The ability to deliver results in first-time situations by inspiring others and working to earn trust every day.
• The willingness to serve others with understanding, respect, and care.
• The ability to operate with simplicity, clarity and transparency.
• The willingness to effectively deal with and drive change.
• The ability to organize, prioritize and own multiple tasks while meeting and/or exceeding deadlines.
• The ability to learn and apply new technology, with the willingness to share knowledge with others.

Above all you will be expected to carry out all your activities with reliability, integrity, compliance and in a safe, environmentally responsible, and efficient manner.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Associate Food Scientist is responsible for supporting food scientist research projects, including sourcing of raw materials, formula scale up, equipment setup, procuring trial samples, submitting samples to 3rd party labs and collaborating with Marketing in the preparation of trade show samples.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Consult with vendors and suppliers, and internal partners like Quality, Marketing, and Sales to verify applications being developed and tested.
• Keep records of work processes and ensure regular reporting of progress to more senior Food Scientists.
• Support execution of proof of concept samples for new applications to support innovation and sales.
• Prepare and present application prototypes and specifications for customer presentation and signoff.
• Stay current on application and ingredient trends.
• Work with Procurement on sourcing new raw materials.
• Balance multiple requests and projects at any one time.
• Maintain, organize, and keep refrigerators, freezers, ingredient storage, equipment and bench areas.
• Stay updated on innovations in food systems and ingredients across various food segments.
• Assist with trials at Application Labs, Pilot Plants, and Customer Industrial Lines, including:
• Assist in evaluating samples and perform basic sensory analyses.
• Conducting shelf-life studies.
• Oversee the qualification and registration of new raw materials.
• Maintain documentation, including specifications, SDS, lab notebook and nutritional information.
• Assist in the procurement of raw materials and packaging.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols.
• Maintain and operate standard R&D equipment and instruments.
• Assist in performing routine competitor analysis.

Above all you will be expected to carry out all your activities with reliability, integrity, compliance and in a safe, environmentally responsible, and efficient manner.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• B.S. in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of one year industry experience (ingredient supplier, flavors, consumer packaged goods) in a position that focuses on hands‐on operation of processing equipment and process development.
• Fundamental understanding of food chemistry, microbiology, statistics, ingredient functionality, sensory, process development and nutrition.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques, including wet chemistry.
• Strong data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Attention to detail and good laboratory practices.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Creative/independent thinking, results-focused, and ability to impact & persuade others.
• Ability to identify technical and project opportunities and navigate complex business relationships or situations.

GOOD TO HAVE:

• Sensory: analytical (R&D, Operations) and affective (consumer).
• Statistics: Design of Experiments, Six Sigma.
• Global Experience: consumer packaged goods companies, ingredient suppliers, flavor & fragrance suppliers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS (WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION):

• Travel: 10 - 20%.
• Lifting/Carrying: Capable of carrying items 10 lbs. or more.
• Capable of conducting work at company facility, third party pilot plants, with potential visits to manufacturing facilities (company owned, third party).

At Ardent Mills, everyone matters and everyone has a voice. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and team members and the decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, aboriginality, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic protected by law or not. Together, celebrating our differences, we make Ardent Mills.

The preceding position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this position. The description, duties, functions, and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of Ardent Mills.

Location:

Denver CO

Address:

1875 Lawrence Street, Denver CO, 80202

Employment Type:

Full time