Food Scientist

Meijer; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Scheduling flexibility

Paid parental leave

Paid education assistance

Team member discount

Development programs for advancement

Job summary

Meijer is seeking a Quality Scientist to serve as the subject matter expert for Meijer brand food products, focusing on physical, chemical, and sensory properties. This role partners with vendors and Meijer facilities to ensure quality in new launches and reformulations.

The position involves evaluating product quality through reviews, supporting testing during launches, and driving corrective actions for quality issues raised via audits or complaints.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or similar required.
• Minimum 2 years of food science/QA experience.
• Experience in quality/production of a food manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of chemical, physical and microbiological properties of food/ingredients.
• Knowledge of food production and processing.
• Ability to perform sensory testing on food products.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive thinker and problem solver.
• Experience researching market/trend information.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Product Quality Review program for Meijer Own Brand foods.
• Evaluate nutritional value, appearance, color, flavor, texture through QA assessments.
• Support product testing during launches and reformulations (chemical, physical, sensory, shelf life).
• Collaborate with vendors to identify root causes of formulation or production issues.
• Ensure vendor compliance with food safety and quality requirements.
• Monitor and report quality issues for Meijer brand products.
• Seek opportunities to enhance product quality, safety, and efficiency.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Project management

Autonomous contributor

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

MicroStrategy

Job description

As a family company, we serve people and communities. When you work at Meijer, you're provided with career and community opportunities centered around leadership, personal growth and development. Consider joining our family - take care of your career and your community!

Meijer Rewards

• Weekly pay
• Scheduling flexibility
• Paid parental leave
• Paid education assistance
• Team member discount
• Development programs for advancement and career growth

The Quality Scientist acts as the subject matter expert for Meijer brand food products as it pertain to the physical, chemical and organoleptic properties of food. The Quality Scientist serves as a key technical resource for Meijer Vendors, including Meijer Manufacturing facilities, for the quality and consistency elements of new product launches and product reformulations. The quality scientist will also manage existing OB product specifications, follow up and hold vendors accountable to implementing sustainable corrective actions for quality issues discovered in audits, through product complaints, or other forms of feedback.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Oversee the Product Quality Review program in regard to evaluating Meijer Own Brand food products against National Brand targets or other defined targets for Quality and Nutritional parameters.
• Evaluate and report the nutritional value, appearance, color, flavor and texture of foods through Product Quality Reviews, Product Cuttings and other assessments.
• Partner with Product Development during new product launches and reformulations to provide support with product testing (chemical, physical, sensory, shelf life) and help troubleshoot any challenges.
• Works with vendors to identify root causes of formulation or production issues
• Responsible for vendor compliance of food safety and quality requirements for all Meijer brand food products.
• Monitor, report and assist when needed as a technical resource for Meijer brand food product complaints.
• Seeks opportunities to enhance product quality, safety, and efficiency
• Stays current with industry trends, research, and emerging technologies

What You’ll Bring With You:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, or similar degree
• Minimum 2 years of food science/foods quality assurance experience, or experience in a similar role
• Experience in quality / production of a food manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of chemical, physical and microbiological properties of food/food ingredients
• Knowledge of food production and processing
• Knowledge and ability to perform sensory testing on food products.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate throughout all levels of the organization
• Proactive thinker and problem solver.
• Proven ability to research and apply market/trend information.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Computer proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, MicroStrategy.
• Must be able to work autonomously on key deliverables
• Knowledge of Food Safety and Regulations

We opened our doors more than 90 years ago with the goal of helping people provide for themselves and their family. Today we're a multi-billion dollar retailer with more than 70,000 employees across six states. Our Midwest geography includes corporate offices in Grand Rapids, Michigan, plus manufacturing facilities, distribution centers and over 270 stores across Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Wisconsin. Meijer is an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are committed to treating all persons with dignity and respect. Meij'er policy is to not discriminate because of any applicant or team member's race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, age, physical or mental disability, uniformed service or veteran status, or any other lawfully-protected classification. Submissions that are not seeking help to complete the application will not be responded to.