Technology Principal

Sargento; Elkhart Lake (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical benefits

Remote ½ day Fridays

Onsite health & wellness center

Generous 401(k) contributions

Relocation assistance

Tuition assistance

Access to employee store

Job summary

A leading dairy manufacturer based in Elkhart Lake is seeking a Technology Principal with strong expertise in food science and cheese production. The ideal candidate will possess a Master's or Ph.D. in Food Science and significant experience in both technical and supervisory roles. Responsibilities include leading research and development programs, managing documentation, and maintaining external relationships in the scientific community. This full-time role offers comprehensive benefits, including medical and 401(k) contributions.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience with a Master's, or 3+ years with a Ph.D. in Food Science.
• Ability to troubleshoot and innovate cheese products and processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and development programs for new products and processes.
• Communicate findings and make recommendations.
• Supervise testing and scale-up of new products.

Skills

Deep knowledge of cheese chemistry

Microbiology

Manufacturing techniques

Research and development planning

Technical documentation

Effective communication

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in Food Science

Ph.D. in Food Science

Job description

Role Overview

Technology Principal at Sargento.

Technology Principal relates to a wide range of technical skills and many non‑technical company functions. The role requires an expert level understanding of food science principles, practices, and procedures. Responsibilities include identifying, defining, and solving complex technical problems by applying broad technical knowledge and in‑depth knowledge of technical specialty. Scientific and engineering principles are applied in research, development, production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and utilization of foods.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate deep knowledge of cheese chemistry, microbiology, aging processes, and manufacturing techniques, and apply this expertise to innovate, troubleshoot, and optimize cheese products and processes.
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct research and development programs of considerable scope and complexity, leading to new or improved products, processes, or packaging systems to support business objectives.
• Maintain written technical documentation and product and process specifications.
• Effectively communicate research findings and recommendations to internal and external customers.
• Teach and mentor others, both internally and externally, in the technical area of expertise.
• Monitor outside activities and evaluate technical trends, identifying opportunities and making recommendations for process or product improvements.
• Maintain strong external relationships in the scientific and academic communities to stay current with technological advances.
• Conduct or supervise the testing and scale‑up of new products from bench top to commercialization, developing in‑process, finished product specification limits and manufacturing instructions to ensure product quality and consistency.
• Collaborate with and/or lead a team of internal and external functional experts (manufacturing, engineering, marketing, quality systems, procurement, suppliers, consultants) to resolve issues and recommend technical direction to management.
• Other duties may be assigned.
• Overnight travel up to 20%.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• May supervise a scientist, technician and/or intern. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws, including interviewing, training employees, planning, assigning, and directing work, appraising performance, and addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (M.S.) in Food Science or equivalent with eight plus years relevant experience; or Ph.D. in Food Science or equivalent with three plus years of relevant experience.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical including fertility, adoption benefits, dental, and vision insurance.
• Remote ½ day Fridays.
• Onsite health & wellness center.
• Employer 401(k) contribution in the top 1% of the nation.
• Relocation assistance.
• Tuition assistance.
• Access to employee store.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Education and Training

Industries

Manufacturing

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.