Sr. Food Technologist

Trident Seafoods; Motley (MN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Holidays

Parental leave

Transit program

Job summary

Trident Seafoods is seeking a Senior Food Technologist to lead R&D projects in Alaska seafood product categories. You will collaborate with world-class scientists and chefs to develop and improve formulations, manage prototypes, and guide product commercialization from concept to launch.

The role emphasizes end-to-end project leadership, bench-top research, and close interaction with suppliers and customers to ensure superior product quality and innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science or related field; 8+ years in food science/manufacturing.
• Master's degree in food science or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads end-to-end product development and renovation projects in the assigned category.
• Collaborates with ingredient suppliers on new designs and cost optimization.
• Leads sensory evaluations and communicates product features to vendors and customers.
• Creates and documents R&D specs, test data and shelf-life results.
• Manages bench top research and planned lab experiments for new formulations.

Skills

Product development

R&D leadership

Ingredient collaboration

Project management

Shelf-life testing

Vendor liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree in food science

Master's degree in food science

Tools

MS Office

PowerPoint

Database Management

Job description

Overview

Trident Seafoods is North America’s largest vertically integrated seafood company—partnering with fishermen, employees, and communities to responsibly harvest, process, and share wild Alaska seafood with the world. With deep roots in Alaska and operating across the globe, Trident is a privately held company headquartered in Seattle, committed to nourishing the world while upholding the highest standards for safety, sustainability, and excellence.

Overview

Trident Seafoods is North America’s largest vertically integrated seafood company—partnering with fishermen, employees, and communities to responsibly harvest, process, and share wild Alaska seafood with the world. With deep roots in Alaska and operating across the globe, Trident is a privately held company headquartered in Seattle, committed to nourishing the world while upholding the highest standards for safety, sustainability, and excellence.

At Trident Seafoods, we work together for something bigger than ourselves. From nourishing the world with the best protein on earth to protecting our oceans, serving our fishermen, and supporting communities in Alaska and beyond, here, you’ll find a values-driven culture where your growth matters, your work has purpose and your contributions are recognized and appreciated—because at Trident, we believe meaningful work connects us all.

Responsibilities

Summary

The Senior Food Technologist is a customer-focused and result-driven food scientist, working with world-class food scientists and chefs, specializing in Alaskan Seafood. This role is responsible for R&D (Research & Development) projects in assigned product category, developing new and improved product formulations and processes. Provides expertise and guidance in product development in related areas, shares related work experience and problem-solving ideas. Operates as a project lead, supported by other R&D team members. Collaborates with customers and project stakeholders, promoting clear communication and process, creating clear product development scope to support ideations. Participates in the development and communication of Trident R&D leadership strategy.

Essential Functions: (Responsibilities, Tasks, Supervisory Needs)

• Leads end-to-end product development and product renovation projects in the assigned product category providing solutions that leverage our core capabilities. Manages and develops concept prototypes.
• Effectively collaborates with ingredient suppliers on new designs, ingredient improvements, and cost optimizations for R&D driven product categories.
• Constantly tracks new functional or other new ingredient options for unique finished product attributes, product improvement and cost reduction opportunities.
• Supports and guides other R&D members on innovation and process & product improvement projects.
• Contributes to New Product Development (NPD) creative exploration (10% of job scope), creates innovation work plan in the assigned category, execution and follow up.
• Leads, initiates, produces, and supplies product samples designed to meet project scope.
• Efficiently leads R&D projects in the assigned project category through all the project development stages and commercialization.
• Creates R&D specifications and documents all tests (lab and plant trials); compiles and records testing data and charts for ingredient performance, production test information/ summary and on-going projects.
• Initiates, performs, and provides guidance in bench top research and evaluation of new ingredients and product formulations, planning lab experiments, shelf-life testing and production trials.
• Leads sensory evaluations, product cuttings / presentations to various vendors and customer groups, introducing or re-acquainting them to specific products, ingredient features, benefits, requirements, and application techniques. Ensures adequate supply of 1st production samples retains and bench control for cook validation, product cuttings, shelf-life tests etc.

The essential functions listed above are not exhaustive. The organization may assign other duties as needed to meet business requirements. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Trident Seafoods offers a comprehensive and quality benefits package. Full-time employees may be eligible for discretionary/performance-based incentives, medical, dental and vision insurance plans, optional HRA/HSA, telemedicine, employee assistance and wellness programs, long-term disability, basic life and AD&D, and 401(k) with a company match, paid time off, 10 paid holidays each year, and paid parental leave. For full-time employees, the initial paid time off benefit starts at 20 days per year, adjusted commensurate with relevant experience. Commuter and transit programs are also available.

Travel/On-Call Requirements

Located in Motley, Minnesota with occasional travel to customers, up to 10%.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in food science, manufacturing, or a related field
• A bachelor’s degree in food science or a related field; or the equivalent combination of education and years of experience.

Preferred Education & Experiences

• A master’s degree in food science or a related field; or the equivalent combination of education and years of experience.
• Strong working knowledge of the scientific methods, ingredients, product formulation and food processing to support best in class development of new, innovative food products.
• Strong knowledge of labeling requirements to review nutritional and ingredient statements and recommend changes when required.
• Strong working knowledge of product development and commercialization requirements, including cooking instructions validation, shelf-life testing and record keeping.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities (KSAs)

• General understanding of food laws and regulations
• Solid understanding of mathematics, scientific weights, and measurements.
• Basic working knowledge of MS Office, PowerPoint, Database Management and other computer applications to access information, analyze data and solve problems.

Work Environment

This role is split between a professional office environment and an industrial test kitchen/pilot plant setting. The employee regularly performs product development, testing, and commercialization activities in food production environments and may be exposed to temperature variations, noise, food allergens, and processing equipment. PPE may be required.

Work Ability Requirements

The position may require standing for extended periods, frequent walking between work areas, lifting and carrying ingredients or product samples up to 25-50 pounds, and occasional travel to manufacturing facilities, suppliers, customers, or industry events.

Work Authorizations

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Additional Information

Stay connected with Trident Seafoods online at www.tridentseafoods.com and follow us on Facebook , X , Instagram , Pinterest , YouTube or LinkedIn

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Trident Seafoods provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Trident Seafoods and its subsidiaries have adopted a drug-free workplace policy. Working under the influence of Drugs or Alcohol is not permitted.

Employment with Trident Seafoods is contingent upon the candidate maintaining valid immigration status and work authorization throughout employment, with or without immigration sponsorship by the company.

Pay Range

USD $95,000.00 - USD $135,000.00 /Hr.