Food Technologist

Wayne-Sanderson Farms; Flowood (MS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne-Sanderson Farms in Flowood, MS seeks a Food Product Development Engineer to lead benchtop prototype projects and coordinate cross-functional teams. You will manage documentation, assist commercialization, and ensure compliance with internal and external standards.

You will use tools like Optiva for data handling, support plant-scale up, and contribute to continuous process improvements in a fast-paced food production environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field required.
• Minimum one year of related experience in food product development; poultry industry preferred.
• Knowledge of technical processes and continuous improvement applicable to ongoing projects.
• Knowledge of project management from inception to completion.
• Knowledge of practical laboratory skills and basic statistics.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, across all levels.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Customer-centric attitude, high energy, and sense of urgency.

Responsibilities

• Participate in product development projects including benchtop prototypes and coordinating with internal or external customers; maintain documentation.
• Develop and improve the project summary process, reviewing unusual processes with appropriate personnel.
• Assist in product commercialization ensuring compliance with internal guidelines and external regulatory requirements.
• Perform data entry/modifications for commercialization in Optiva or other software, including formula finalization and regulatory documents.
• Coordinate plant scale-up activities with Scheduling, Operations, QA, and R&D project managers; manage meetings and data collection.
• Wear required PPE to promote a zero-accident environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Technical processes

Project management

Laboratory skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Customer focus

Education

Bachelors’ degree in Food Science or related field

Tools

Optiva

Job description

Job Responsibilities

• Participate in product development projects including development of basic benchtop prototype products, interaction and communication with internal or external customers, and the development and maintenance of organized documentation processes, updating as necessary
• Develop and improve the project summary process, reviewing unusual processes with appropriate personnel
• Assist in the commercialization of products helping to ensure product and processes meet all internal guidelines and external regulatory and legal requirements
• Perform required data entry/ modification required for the commercialization process of key projects in Optiva or other software including formula finalization, procurement of ingredient and packaging regulatory and purchasing documents, specification development, obtaining customer specification sign-off and validation of cooking or reconstitution instructions
• Partner with internal departments (Scheduling, Operations, QA, and R&D project managers to coordinate plant scale up activities (i.e. protocol pre and post meetings, data collection protocol, specification changes, etc.)
• Wear and ensure other wear all required personal protection equipment in areas where mandatory promoting a zero-accident environment
• Perform other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of technical processes with the ability to apply continuous process improvement skills to on-going projects
• Knowledge of project management with ability to assist and contribute to projects from inception, monitoring, follow-up through completion
• Knowledge of practical laboratory skills and basic understanding of statistics
• Must have good communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to communicate with all levels of the organization and in a timely and professional manner
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize projects, planning skills, and a high attention to detail
• Must possess a strong customer-centric attitude, high energy level and a strong sense of urgency.

Education

• Bachelors’ degree in Food Science or other closely related field of study from an accredited institution

Experience

• Minimum one (1) year related experience in food product development; experience with product development within the poultry industry preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• May be required to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally
• Ability to work extended or unusual shifts if needed (Weekend, holiday or extended) to meet deadline
• Ability to move freely about the facility
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of injury in an office environment. Duties include a typical office setting including extensive computer work, sitting or standing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Wayne-Sanderson does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.