Bread Scientist

The J.M. Smucker Co.; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 94,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The J.M. Smucker Co. in Longmont, CO is seeking a Bread Scientist to own the bread-making process from mixing through panning and slicing.

You’ll lead technical initiatives, partner with production, engineering, and R&D, and develop technicians on the floor, influencing product quality and process efficiency. This role demands hands-on bakery science leadership, shop floor coaching, and the ability to drive cost and yield improvements in a high-volume operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; B.S. in Bread/Bakery Science highly preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of food manufacturing experience required.
• Experience in sensory training, culinary, recipe development, and tolerance testing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Owns recipe for the bakeries at the plant from mixing to panning.
• Guides Bakery and Sandwich Making departments on improvements, troubleshooting, cost-savings ideas, and new opportunities.
• Manages Bakery Lab Tech(s).
• Develops strategic plans to close gaps and improve bread quality and weight variability, reduce downtime, and improve yield.
• Drives cost and process improvement projects to run a stable, efficient operation; leads multiple projects.

Skills

Leadership on the floor

Analytical troubleshooting

Project management

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Bread or Bakery Science

Tools

Microsoft Suite

Job description

Your Opportunity as theBread Scientist

This is a unique opportunity to become a key technical leader within a high-volume bakery operation, with ownership of the bread-making process from mixing through panning and slicing. You’ll use your expertise in baking science to solve complex production challenges, improve bread quality and consistency, increase yield, reduce downtime, and identify meaningful cost and process improvements. Beyond the technical work, you’ll partner with Production, Engineering, R&D, and other sites while developing the capabilities of technicians and leaders on the floor. It’s a highly visible role where your expertise can directly influence the product, the process, and the people who bring it to life every day.

Location: Longmont, Colorado

Work Arrangements: Monday–Friday with flexibility to support operations during occasional evenings, nights, or weekends, based on operational and business needs.

In this role you will:

• Understands inputs, variables, testing methods, and process cause and effect of bread making and slicing
• Guides Bakery and Sandwich Making departments on improving existing operations, troubleshooting of major problems, cost-savings ideas, and evaluation of new production opportunities
• Manages Bakery Lab Tech(s)
• Owns recipe for the bakeries at the plant from mixing to panning
• Uses knowledge of bread making and slicing to identify top gaps and develops strategic plans to close gaps and improve bread quality and weight variability, reduce downtime, and improve yield
• Identifies and implements cost and process improvement projects necessary to run a stable, efficient operation; leads multiple projects/initiatives simultaneously
• Develops an expert level understanding of the equipment, process and materials used to run a high-volume bakery
• Partners with Department Managers in developing and delivering business master plan, including key technical and organizational projects; Provides technical support to the bakery and sandwich making departments
• Drives out defects in the process and enhance overall productivity, safety and quality by collaborating with production teams and leadership
• Develops the capability of technicians and managers at the site to understand the baking process flow, inputs and outputs, control variables, and basic baking troubleshooting
• Models the Basic Beliefs and Our Commitment to Each Other
• Drives high-performance work culture by engaging with team members on the floor and coaching to problem solve, make decisions, and become self-reliant
• Leverages High-Performance Organizational principles to develop leadership skills in individuals and the Sandwich making teams
• Manages ingredient variations effectively, including crop year flour variations
• Responsible for bakery lab and lab equipment; Establishes site testing requirements and frequency
• Acts as a technical leader within cross functional teams to deliver initiatives and departmental projects
• Works with R&D to create and improve formulations based on consumer and marketing feedback and/or sensory results
• Develops strong relationships with Corporate R&D, Other Production Sites, Engineering and external vendors
• Helps organization stay current with applicable new technologies, ingredients, product trends, and competitive activities
• Other tasks as required

What we are looking for:

MinimumRequirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required, B.S. in Bread or Bakery Science highly preferred
• Minimum of 2 years of food manufacturing experience required
• Experience in sensory training, culinary, recipe development, and tolerance testing preferred

Additionalskills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• Ability to effectively engage, lead, and build capability on the floor
• Ability to work and influence within a team environment
• Strong analytical trouble-shooting, problem-solving, and root cause identification skills
• Self-motivated, organized, and able to learn new skills/technologies quickly
• Strong time management and prioritization skills – demonstrated ability to manage several tasks at a time through to completion and meet the needs of many customers
• Proven project management skills and technical problem-solving capability
• Excellent presentation, written, and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite applications
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Willingness to work off-shifts or weekends as needed

Colorado Salary

$93,500 - $135,300

TheRight Placefor You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.