Senior Food Application Scientist

Jobtailor; Bridgeton (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Bridgeton, MO is seeking a seasoned food science professional to lead R&D efforts in industrial baking. You will optimize performance, validate shelf life, and analyze data across breads, rolls, tortillas, and cookies.

You will mentor scientists, design experiments, collaborate with Marketing, Operations, Quality and Regulatory, and stay ahead of industry trends while ensuring food safety compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Food Science, Culinology, Baking, or related field with 8+ years of manufacturing experience.
• Industrial baking experience with understanding of manufacturing processes for breads, rolls, tortillas, cakes/muffins, and cookies.
• GMP, HACCP, FDA regulations, and sanitation procedures are required.
• Advanced problem solving, data analysis, and evaluation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced business environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and champion a culture of safety across all activities.
• Optimize and validate functional performance, shelf life, and sensory properties of baked goods through testing and data review.
• Lead multiple complex projects ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and alignment with business goals.
• Collaborate with commercial and R&D teams to translate consumer needs into insights for domestic and international markets.
• Design and execute experiments to create technical data supporting commercial strategy.
• Provide technical support to customers, sales teams, and internal departments.
• Mentor other scientists and deliver reports on project status and recommendations.
• Ensure food safety, hygiene, and sanitation in collaboration with Quality and Regulatory teams.

Skills

Industrial Baking Experience

GMP Compliance

HAACP Knowledge

Data Analysis

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Culinology, Baking, or related field

Tools

MS Office

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

• Lead and champion a culture of safety across all activities.
• Optimize and validate functional performance, shelf life, and sensory properties of baked goods including bread, muffins, cookies, cakes, rolls, and tortillas by conducting product testing (both analytical and sensory) and by reviewing and analyzing the resulting data.
• Lead multiple complex projects while ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and alignment with customer and business goals.
• Collaborate with the commercial team and other R&D teams to translate unmet consumer needs into actionable scientific and technological insights in both domestic and international markets.
• Design and execute experiments to create technical application data supporting the business's commercial strategy.
• Exhibit conceptual, creative and analytic problem solving the ability to break down complex issues and simplify by focusing on what matters.
• Provide technical support to customers, sales teams, and internal departments on products and technologies.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and other R&D teams to achieve cross-functional business objectives that may include cost reduction initiatives, production efficiencies, and quality improvements.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies and developments in bakery products, fostering strong relationships with customers, research institutions, and industry organizations.
• Serve as a technical expert, solving broader business issues through science and technology strategies.
• Develop new product ideas and concepts for demos and tradeshows in multiple applications (bakery, confectionary, etc) with an emphasis on incorporation of Balchem ingredients in new and unique ways that align with current trends.
• Support and mentor other scientists within the R&D organization.
• Deliver written and oral reports on project status, experimental results, and technical recommendations.
• Take an independent and disciplined approach to organizing work activity, prioritizing tasks, and analysis; seek out additional projects and activities to drive the business forward.
• Ensure the integrity of the R&D laboratory through accurate record-keeping, test design, and adherence to sanitary practices.
• Ensure high standards of food safety, hygiene, and sanitation, working with quality and regulatory teams as needed to ensure compliance to food safety requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelors Degree in Food Science, Culinology, Baking, or other related scientific field with 8+ years of relevant manufacturing experience.
• Industrial baking experience is required including a strong understanding of the commercial manufacturing of baked goods (breads, rolls, tortillas, cakes/muffins, and cookies) and the associated processes (mixing, baking, proofing, etc).
• Strong understanding of GMP, HAACP, FDA regulations, and sanitation procedures.
• Advanced problem solving, data analysis, and evaluation skills.
• Ability to learn new categories quickly, navigate in a complex, fast-paced business environment and manage and prioritize multiple projects while delivering high-quality results.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with industry trends and innovations.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects with a demonstrated history of delivering high-quality results.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Operations and Manufacturing, Quality and Regulatory) and Senior Management.
• Proficiency with computer software, including MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Demonstrates expertise in food science and industrial baking, with a strong focus on product testing, data analysis, and compliance with food safety regulations. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects while delivering high-quality results.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Industrial Baking Experience
• GMP Compliance
• HAACP Knowledge
• Data Analysis SkillsProject Management

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Food Science
• Culinology
• Baking Processes
• Product Testing
• Technical Application Data
• Experimental Design
• Sanitation Procedures
• Quality Improvement
• Cost Reduction Initiatives
• Emerging Technologies

Soft Skills

• Problem Solving
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Mentoring
• Organizational Skills

Industry Keywords

• Food Safety
• Regulatory Compliance
• Baked Goods
• Consumer Insights
• Cross-Functional Collaboration

Tools & Technologies

• MS Office
• Excel
• Word
• PowerPoint
• Outlook