Associate Food Scientist

Flowers Foods & Subsidiaries; Thomasville (GA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health and medical

401(k) Retirement savings plan

Professional growth and leadership

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Flowers Foods, Inc. is seeking an Associate Food Scientist to formulate new products, reduce costs, conduct plant trials and lead consumer testing. You will collaborate with Quality, Marketing, Operations and Regulatory teams to advance Flowers brands.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in food science or related field, and 0–3 years in product development within bakery products. Salary offers up to $60k with benefits and career growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Exposure through internship or entry level role in product development and commercialization of baked goods.
• Experience in bread and other bakery items including cookies, cakes, and fried desserts preferred.
• Proficiency with computers, software applications, and digital tools.
• Ability to learn new software and technology quickly.

Responsibilities

• Assist with formulation development for bench trials, plant trials, and execution to achieve targeted product attributes.
• Create experimental plans, execute experiments, collect data, and make recommendations.
• Conduct sensory evaluations to meet consumer needs.
• Document and report trial results, product specs, and project status to stakeholders.

Skills

Product development

Data analysis

Learning new software

Bread/bakery knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in food science or related

Tools

Computers

Software applications

Job description

FRESH. FORWARD. FLOWERS. Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE:FLO) is not just about baking; it's about crafting moments of joy with every delicious bite. With 2024 sales of $5.1 billion, and as one of the leading producers of packaged bakery goods in the United States, Flowers Foods brings passion to the table. From the wholesome goodness of Nature's Own and Wonder to the bold and artisanal flavors of Dave's Killer Bread, the rustic goodness of Canyon Bakehouse, and the sweet delights of Tastykake, each product is a celebration of taste and quality. Beyond the oven, Flowers Foods fosters a culture that values and reflects Honesty & Integrity, Respect & Inclusion, Sustainability, Passion, and Humility. With a commitment to innovation and a recipe for success, Flowers Foods is more than a bakery – it's a delightful journey into the heart of flavor and community.

FRESH. FORWARD. FLOWERS. Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE:FLO) is not just about baking; it's about crafting moments of joy with every delicious bite. With 2024 sales of $5.1 billion, and as one of the leading producers of packaged bakery goods in the United States, Flowers Foods brings passion to the table. From the wholesome goodness of Nature's Own and Wonder to the bold and artisanal flavors of Dave's Killer Bread, the rustic goodness of Canyon Bakehouse, and the sweet delights of Tastykake, each product is a celebration of taste and quality. Beyond the oven, Flowers Foods fosters a culture that values and reflects Honesty & Integrity, Respect & Inclusion, Sustainability, Passion, and Humility. With a commitment to innovation and a recipe for success, Flowers Foods is more than a bakery – it's a delightful journey into the heart of flavor and community.

Full-time Employees Are Offered The Following Benefits

• Comprehensive health and medical benefits
• 401(k) Retirement savings plan
• Professional growth and leadership training
• Paid vacation, holidays, and parental leave

Benefits may vary depending on your work location.

Bringing Home the Dough

The Associate Food Scientist is responsible for formulating new products, reducing costs on existing products, conducting plant trials, and performing consumer testing. This position requires an understanding of the fundamentals of food science, including ingredient interactions, processing, stability, and basic regulations related to product labeling. In addition, this position requires an understanding of how plant equipment and processes effect formulations and product specifications when moving from the lab to the plant. The position works cross-functionally with Quality, Marketing, Operations, Procurement, Regulatory, and Finance to drive value for the Flowers brands.

The Associate Food Scientist is a self-driven and motivated professional who is both adaptable and flexible in a fast-paced environment and who possesses the ability to successfully work alone and as part of a team. The ideal candidate exhibits both maturity and a high degree of curiosity. This position requires demonstration of competency for all on-the-job activities that may have a direct or indirect effect on product safety, legality and/or quality.

Rising to the Challenge: Position Responsibilities

Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Assists with formulation development for bench trials, plant trials, and execution to achieve targeted product attributes.
• Creates experimental plans. Executes experiments, collect data, and make recommendations based on data.
• Conducts sensory evaluations to establish product designs that meet consumer needs.
• Documents, interprets, and reports on trial results, product and process specifications, and project status to all stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Identifies and generates creative ideas to support new product concepts as well as product and process improvements.
• Maintains professional relationships and partner with outside suppliers to determine product fit for R&D objectives.
• Maintains/improves knowledge of ingredient functionality to support R&D and Process Improvement projects.
• Conducts shelf life studies.
• Ensures compliance with corporate/plant safety standards and with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Travels approximately 30+% of the time but as required for trials, marketing support, and meetings.
• Practices and complies with all Company policies and procedures (EEO, Harassment, Safety, Sarbanes Oxley, etc.).
• Performs other duties which are deemed by management to be an integral part of the job, including but not limited to fulfillment of work schedules, adherence to attendance policies, and other applicable operating rules, policies and procedures

Knead to Know: Preferred Qualifications

• 0 – 3 years’ relevant progressive experience, to include:
• Exposure through internship or entry level role in product development and commercialization experience of baked goods.
• Experience in bread and other bakery items including cookies, cakes, and fried desserts preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency with computers, software applications, and digital tools
• Ability to learn new software and technology quickly

Additional Ingredients: Essential Job Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in food science, baking science or Culinology.

Salary Range- 55000 -60000

We offer a competitive salary up to $60k and an excellent total rewards package.

EEO Statement

Flowers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Flowers encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or people of any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. The job description above outlines the general nature and level of work expected from employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications for this position. Equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills may supplement above minimum job requirements.