Food Scientist

Basic American Foods; Blackfoot (ID); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Basic American Foods in Blackfoot, Idaho is seeking a Food Scientist to lead product development from concept through commercialization. You will design bench trials, support pilot plant scale-up, and work with RDQA, Marketing, and Operations to ensure successful project outcomes.

The ideal candidate has a food-science background, at least three years of related experience, and a willingness to travel up to 25% within southeast Idaho.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related discipline.
• Minimum 3 years’ food science experience, preferably in manufacturing.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% between facilities in southeast Idaho.
• Ability to develop new products and optimize processes using scientific principles.
• Strong analytical, project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead new product development from concept to commercialization with bench trials and scale-up.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to resolve product development hurdles.
• Plan shelf-life studies and communicate recommendations.
• Manage ingredient, formula, and finished good specifications.
• Identify new ingredients and technologies; apply Lean and data analysis for RCA.

Skills

Food science

Project management

Lean principles

Data-driven analysis

Cross-functional communication

Education

Bachelors in Food Science or related

Tools

Lab equipment knowledge

Lab testing tools

Job description

Food Scientist - Blackfoot, Idaho

We are seeking a results-driven and detail-oriented Food Scientist toexecute product development projects from concept through commercialization and coordinate with cross-functional partners to ensure project success through a stage gate project management process.

The ideal candidate is food-focused, with a demonstrated ability to utilize scientific principles to formulate new food products that deliver on taste expectations.

Local candidates are preferred, but relocation support may be offered for a qualified candidate relocating to southeast Idaho.

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop new products beginning at the concept phase through successful commercialization by designing and leading bench trials, supporting pilot plant and scale up of manufacturing plant trials, creating analytical reports, and organizing tasting sessions with RDQA team and/or Marketing.
2. Collaborate with internal cross-functional partners and external suppliers to identify and troubleshoot technical product development hurdles. These partners may include, but are not limited to Project Management, Marketing, Sales, Customer Service, QRO, Procurement, Operations, Continuous Improvement Engineering, Ingredient Suppliers, and Co-Manufacturers.
3. Develop, organize, and document product shelf-life studies and product cutting sessions. Analyze results to draw conclusions and communicate clear recommendations for next steps.
4. Support the creation, routing, and management of ingredient, formula, and finished good specifications.
5. Proactively identify ideas and research on new functional ingredients and technologies that can be used to drive continuous improvement. Apply scientific principles and foundational product development concepts to projects. Leverage Lean principles to complete Root Cause Analyses, analyze statistical data, and identify trends that inform data-driven decision ownership.

What We Offer Employees

Phenomenal Benefits: Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, 401(k) with company contributions, a generous time off program, life and disability insurance, adoption assistance, a scholarship program for children of employees, and an employee assistance program for you and your family.

Competitive Compensation: Base salary is dependent on the candidate's experience level and skill set. In addition to a competitive base salary, this position participates in an annual incentive plan.

We're Looking for Someone With:

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university. Preferred disciplines include Food Science,Food Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Culinology, but other related disciplines will be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years of related food science experience, preferably with a food manufacturer.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time, primarily between facilities in southeast Idaho.
• Demonstrated ability to use scientific principles to develop new products, processes, and formulations.
• Resourcefulness and critical thinking skills.
• Detail orientation and an ability to manage projects, plan and coordinate project activities, communicate progress and challenges, and be a technical expert.
• A general understanding of Lean principles and data-driven problem-solving methods, lab testing tools and apparatus, food processing and manufacturing equipment, and sensory evaluation methods.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with all levels of management and other functions to support the effective execution of projects.
• Local candidates to southeast Idaho are preferred, but candidates willing to relocate to the area will be considered.

What BAF is Like

As a relatively flat organization, you have a voice from your first day, along with opportunities to explore, learn, and develop new skills with challenging and rewarding work. We're focused on your success, both professionally and personally, and we are committed to offering competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. We are a family-owned, family-friendly company that empowers and supports our employees. We live out our company values and expect all team members to do the same.

You’ll Love Working Here if You:

• Love what you do, and it shows. Our employees are passionate about what they do and enjoy challenging work.
• Are knowledgeable and confident, but never boastful. While we are proud of our company, our team and the products we create, we are humble and down-to-earth at our core.
• Are guided by a deep belief in integrity & personal values. This is a part of our employees' personal value systems as much as it is the organization's.
• Hold yourself and others accountable, while always maintaining dignity and respect for yourself and those around you.
• Believe in professional development for ourselves, as well as support the development of others.

At BAF, we are an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity and strive to create a supportive and inclusive community of individuals committed to helping each other and our company thrive.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.