Baking Technologist

Sterling BV, Inc.; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A bakery product development company located in San Antonio, Texas, is looking for a passionate professional to lead the development of customized bakery products from concept through commercialization. The role requires a strong background in baking and manufacturing, effective project management skills, and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously. Candidates should have at least three years of bakery manufacturing experience and be proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel. The position offers an opportunity to innovate in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in bakery manufacturing and ingredient handling is essential.
• Proven project management skills required to handle multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of HACCP and GMPs is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop new products from concept to commercialization.
• Collaborate with Operations and Engineering to document processes.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Baking and manufacturing experience

Troubleshooting mindset

Knowledge of ingredients

Project management skills

Ability to handle multiple projects

Education

American Institute of Baking Certified Baker or Degree in Culinary Arts

3 years' experience in bakery manufacturing

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite (Excel)

Job description

Summary

This position will report to Vice President of R&D. The incumbent will be responsible for developing customized bakery products (from written concept/bench-top to full scale production) that support the sales growth and profitability across four divisions: Government, Food Service, Retail and Specialty Channel. Position will combine the disciplines of Science of Baking and large-scale manufacturing to create products that maintain specifications and culinary quality (freshness, taste, and texture) through mass production.

Essential Functions (Mental & Physical)

• Formulate and develop new products from concept to commercialization to meet customer expectations on nutritional profile, ingredient statement and product attributes.
• Conceptualize bakery products and develop product prototypes for evaluation.
• Assist with the sourcing and evaluation of ingredients.
• Lead cost‑saving initiatives through ingredient, product and process optimization.
• Drive innovation through continuous improvement.
• Work with Operations and Engineering teams to develop and document the process for the manufacture of new products.
• Provide technical leadership to production; conduct plant trials and new product start‑ups with Operations Team.
• Develop finished product and process specifications.
• Work with QA to ensure food safety and regulatory requirements are met.
• Work with cross‑functional teams (Sales, Operations, Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, etc.) on projects requiring product development support.

Qualifications

• Must have baking and manufacturing related experience.
• Must have a "Trouble Shooting" mindset.
• A passionate interest in food, specifically baked goods, with a high degree of professional commitment to the food industry.
• Considerable knowledge of the types and grades of ingredients used in general sweet goods and bread baking.
• Flexibility and ability to professionally handle multiple projects simultaneously while addressing aggressive timelines for completion.
• Ability to understand costing, profitability and impact on overall business.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs.
• Hands‑on participation in the scale up of product across multiple production lines.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships with all employees at multiple facilities at multiple levels.
• Knowledge of food production equipment and processing at plant.
• Project management skills.

Education and Experience

• American Institute of Baking Certified Baker, or Degree in Culinary Arts.
• Must have 3 years' experience in bakery manufacturing.
• Knowledge of USDA and FDA regulations (preferred).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or taste. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to work long hours while maintaining safety, quality and productivity.
• Work hours in excess of forty (40) hours may be required.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually high.
• The employee is expected to adhere to all policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to policies.