R & D Technician

Western Smokehouse Partners; Burlington, Galesburg, Springfield (IA, IL, IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Career development opportunities

401k match program

Job summary

Western Smokehouse Partners in Burlington, IA, is seeking a Research and Development Technician to drive product innovation and improve formulations across plants.

You will collaborate with FSQA teams, test processing methods, and help launch new products, with up to 50% travel and a strong emphasis on quality and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Food Science, Meat Science, or related field.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Experience in food processing industry, ideally meat.
• Knowledge of meat processing techniques and food safety standards.
• Self-starter, analytical, detail-oriented, collaborative, and able to drive continuous improvement.
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; able to learn new systems.

Responsibilities

• Execute new product and line extension sample production from processing to packaging.
• Test new processes and equipment when needed.
• Maintain detailed records of experiments, formulations, schedules, and test results.
• Create training programs for products and processes.
• Create and manage product specifications with plants and FSQA teams.
• Help optimize smokehouse performance across plants.
• Perform packaging feasibility testing.
• Assist product launches within plants and cross-department collaboration.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Travel 50%

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Meat processing knowledge

Food processing experience

Analytical mindset

MS Office

Education

B.S. in Food Science, Meat Science, or related field

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Burlington IA - Burlington, IA 52601 Position Type: Full Time Salary Range: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 SalaryTravel Percentage: Up to 50% Job Shift: Day

Join the TEAM at Western Smokehouse Partners!

We’re more than just a leader in the better-for-you meat snack industry-we’re a team driven by quality, innovation and a passion for great meat sticks and jerky. With eight facilities across five states, we’re setting the standard in excellence for our co-manufacturing and private label customers. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for highly motivated individuals who want to be part of an industry-leading company that values contribution, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Research and Development Technician

The Research and Development Technician will be responsible for helping drive product innovation, development, and improvement by executing key tasks in the R&D department. This role is ideal for someone enthusiastic about creating meat products, with a powerful desire to learn, teach, and collaborate. The R&D Technician will help in the product development process, improve existing products, and work together with plants and FSQA teams to establish and maintain standards and specifications. Start date is flexible.

Essential Duties:

• Execute new product and line extension sample trial production, from processing to packaging, to create high quality and tasty meat snacks
• Help test new processes and equipment when necessary
• Maintain detailed records of experiments, formulations, smokehouse schedules, and test results, and create reports for management and regulatory purposes
• Assist in educating others, and create training programs for products and processes where applicable
• Create and manage product specifications, and communicate and administer specifications to the plants and FSQA teams
• Assist in the continual optimization of smokehouse performance across all plants
• Perform packaging feasibility testing
• Help organize and execute product launches within the plants, working with all related departments
• Other duties as assigned

The ideal candidate will have:

• B.S. in Food Science, Meat Science, or related field
• Ability to travel up to 50% of time
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Experience in food processing industry, ideally meat
• Knowledge of meat processing techniques, food safety standards, and sensory evaluation preferred
• Qualities of a self-starter, analytical person, detail-oriented, collaborative, able to lead change, and continuously driven to improve processes
• Workable knowledge in the use of Microsoft Excel, Word & PowerPoint, and ability to learn new systems

Physical Demand:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to move around each facility and be able to lift up to 40 pounds. Must be able to climb ladders and platforms as needed.

Work Environment:

The employee must be able to work in hot or cold environments and the ability to stand on concrete for extended periods of time. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. The employee must wear all safety equipment, including ear protection.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Career development opportunities
• 401k match program.