Sr. Product Development Scientist - Bakery

Kroger; Cincinnati (OH); In loco; USD 90.000 - 140.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Kroger is seeking a technical leader to guide product development and quality support for Corporate Brand products in a Cincinnati-based role. You will supervise QA and development activities, ensure label compliance, and coordinate with suppliers and plants to deliver safe, high-quality foods that meet regulatory and Kroger standards.

The role requires extensive bakery product development experience, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to drive cross-functional projects while

Competenze

• Bachelor's degree in food science technology, dairy or bakery science, or food microbiology, or equivalent industry experience.
• 5+ years of bakery product development experience.
• 6+ years of experience in quality assurance or product development.
• Plant experience in QA, technical service and/or production.
• Strong knowledge of key regulations related to product development and quality assurance.

Mansioni

• Lead technical aspects of product development, product approval, and quality improvement processes.
• Subject Matter Expert for Kroger Commercial Bakery for Bakery New Product Development, Product Maintenance, Cost Savings, and Business Continuity projects.
• Partner to select raw material, finished product, and packaging suppliers that best achieve quality and cost requirements.
• Work with Corporate Brands to approve procured products and the plants that make Kroger labeled products (KLP).
• Maintain proficiency in all aspects of food labeling to ensure all packaging meets legal requirements.
• Monitor quality of procured products, address quality issues and work with recall coordinator to initiate product recalls if necessary.
• Work with the Corporate Food Technology (CFT) sensory group to organize panels.
• Lead technicians in properly planning and executing cuttings, audits, and lab development trial work.
• Prepare and maintain all necessary materials, formulas, and product specification documents.
• Analyze customer comments and resolve issues with manufacturing plants and outside suppliers.
• Lead the response to customer comment trends and prioritize product quality opportunities.
• Partner with Corporate Brands and Retail teams to lead product quality issues to resolution.
• Partner with vendors and Corporate Brands to monitor changes in targets.
• Travel to plants, vendors, and industry locations for execution of essential job duties.
• Follow established programs, policies and practices to produce safe, quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements.
• Support the development, implementation, maintenance, and ongoing improvement of the SQF 2000 Systems.
• Accountable to the Kroger Manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Principles.

Conoscenze

Critical thinking

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Formazione

Bachelor's degree in food science/related

Descrizione del lavoro

Provide technical and scientific leadership for product development and quality support functions to assure safety and quality of Kroger Corporate Brand products. Monitor the quality of Corporate Brand products and ensure Kroger manufacturing plants and outside suppliers develop and commercialize products according to the company’s food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance requirements. Demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical aspects of product development, product approval, and quality improvement processes
• Subject Matter Expert for Kroger Commercial Bakery for Bakery New Product Development, Product Maintenance, Cost Savings, and Business Continuity projects.
• Partner to select raw material, finished product, and packaging suppliers that best achieve quality and cost requirements
• Work with Corporate Brands to approve procured products and the plants that make Kroger labeled products (KLP)
• Maintain proficiency in all aspects of food labeling to ensure all packaging meets legal requirements
• Monitor quality of procured products, address quality issues and work with recall coordinator to initiate product recalls if necessary
• Work with the Corporate Food Technology (CFT) sensory group to organize panels
• Lead technicians in properly planning and executing cuttings, audits, and lab development trial work
• Prepare and maintain all necessary materials, formulas, and product specification documents
• Analyze customer comments and resolve issues with manufacturing plants and outside suppliers
• Lead the response to customer comment trends and prioritize product quality opportunities
• Partner with Corporate Brands and Retail teams to lead product quality issues to resolution
• Partner with vendors and Corporate Brands to monitor changes in targets
• Travel to plants, vendors, and industry locations for execution of essential job duties
• Follow established programs, policies and practices to produce safe, quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements
• Support the development, implementation, maintenance, and ongoing improvement of the SQF 2000 Systems
• Accountable to the Kroger Manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Principles
• Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

Qualifications

Minimum

• Bachelor's degree in food science technology, dairy or bakery science, food microbiology or a bachelor’s degree with adequate industry experience
• 5+ years of experience in bakery product development
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Strong attention to detail, with a high degree of accuracy and precision
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Proven excellence in problem solving and cross-functional project planning/execution
• Ability to support successful new or innovative product launches in a rapidly changing environment
• Strong knowledge of key regulations associated with product development and quality assurance
• 6+ years of experience in quality assurance or product development
• Plant experience in quality assurance, technical service and/or production
• Advanced knowledge in a specialized area such as food microbiology, refrigerated foods, USDA regulations, specialty ingredients, or supplement regulations