Whey Technologist

Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Inc.; Milbank (SD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Inc. seeks a technical leader to develop and enhance whey protein from concept to commercialization, serving as the dairy science expert across R&D, innovation and new product development.

You will plan and execute bench, pilot, and plant trials, analyze results, and translate findings into actionable next steps. You will prepare reports for senior management and collaborate cross-functionally to optimize formulas and processing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science/technology, chemistry, engineering or related field with 2 years dairy processing or R&D experience.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills.
• Master’s degree and 5 years in food processing/manufacturing; bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical and process aspects from concept to launch across cross-functional teams.
• Plan and execute bench, pilot, and plant trials; analyze results and document data.
• Design ideas and solutions for R&I and product category strategy.
• Provide ongoing technical support for new and existing products.
• Assist with process targets to meet specifications and yield goals; monitor and adjust.
• Prepare reports and presentations for senior management.
• Identify opportunities to innovate via new processes/technologies.
• Develop product formulas and specifications with raw materials.
• Collaborate with suppliers on new technologies and ingredients.
• Provide training to cross-functional partners.

Skills

Whey protein expertise

Dairy science

Problem solving

Verbal communication

Technical capacity

Data analysis

Cross-functional teamwork

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in food science/technology/chemistry/engineering

Master's degree in related field

Bilingual English/Spanish

Tools

Basic computer skills

Job description

Position Summary
This position is responsible for the development/enhancement of whey protein from concept/opportunity through commercialization (to the customer). This person will be relied upon as an expert related to whey protein including dairy science research, innovation, development, applications; relating to new product/solution development; but also, for formulation cost-out opportunities, process improvements, new technology scouting. Key driver of organic growth through monetization of the opportunity and innovation pipeline.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for all technical and process aspects of projects from concept to launch. This will require working cross-functionally with many areas of the business to cover aspects such as product composition and process, support to costing, manufacturing and technical support.
• Independently plan and execute bench, pilot, and plant trials for new and improved products, analyze test results and effectively translate these into problem solving for next steps that lead to project successes. Document trial details and files data in an organized fashion to ensure data is available for future reference.
• Contribute to scoping and design of new ideas or technical solutions that contribute to R&I and product category strategy.
• Provide ongoing technical support to the business for new and existing products.
• Provide support on process targets designed to meet product specifications and company yield goals. Monitor performance and make recommendations for adjustments.
• Preparation of reports and presentations to senior level management.
• Proactively look for opportunities to innovate via the development and introduction of new process/technologies.
• Develop and manage product formulas, finished good specifications, processing procedures and raw material specifications that ensure high quality finished goods. Additionally, collect and maintain supporting supplementary documentation to the main specifications.
• Collaborate with suppliers to pursue new technologies, capabilities, and novel ingredients.
• Deliver fundamental training and information sharing to cross functional partners or junior team members; Optimize and/or champion new ways of working.
• Detailed Oriented
• Problem Solving/Analysis
• Verbal Communication Skills
• Technical Capacity
• Strong Organization Skills
• Trend Analysis

Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment
This job operates in an office, lab and plant environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. Exposed to extreme temperature variations. The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud.

Physical Demands
The physical demands for this position are mainly able to do sedentary work. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently will need to sit, stand, walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. Typical hours of work are 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with night and weekend work as needed

Travel
Occasional travel expected for this position.

Required Education, Experience & Certifications

Bachelors degree in, food science, food technology, chemistry, engineering, or related field of study and two years of dairy processing, dairy applications, dairy R&D or similar foods/products, cheese making or cultured dairy products, experience. Proficiency in basic computer skills.

Preferred Education, Experience & Certifications

Master’s degree in related field and/or 5 years of applicable experience in food processing manufacturing environment. Bilingual in English/Spanish.

Additional Eligibility QualificationsNone.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of responsibilities, duties or tasks that are required of the employee for this job. Responsibilities, duties and tasks may change at any time with or without notice.

Position Summary
This position is responsible for the development/enhancement of whey protein from concept/opportunity through commercialization (to the customer). This person will be relied upon as an expert related to whey protein including dairy science research, innovation, development, applications; relating to new product/solution development; but also, for formulation cost-out opportunities, process improvements, new technology scouting. Key driver of organic growth through monetization of the opportunity and innovation pipeline.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for all technical and process aspects of projects from concept to launch. This will require working cross-functionally with many areas of the business to cover aspects such as product composition and process, support to costing, manufacturing and technical support.

• Independently plan and execute bench, pilot, and plant trials for new and improved products, analyze test results and effectively translate these into problem solving for next steps that lead to project successes. Document trial details and files data in an organized fashion to ensure data is available for future reference.

• Contribute to scoping and design of new ideas or technical solutions that contribute to R&I and product category strategy.

• Provide ongoing technical support to the business for new and existing products.
• Provide support on process targets designed to meet product specifications and company yield goals. Monitor performance and make recommendations for adjustments.

• Preparation of reports and presentations to senior level management.
• Proactively look for opportunities to innovate via the development and introduction of new process/technologies.
• Develop and manage product formulas, finished good specifications, processing procedures and raw material specifications that ensure high quality finished goods. Additionally, collect and maintain supporting supplementary documentation to the main specifications.
• Collaborate with suppliers to pursue new technologies, capabilities, and novel ingredients.
• Deliver fundamental training and information sharing to cross functional partners or junior team members; Optimize and/or champion new ways of working.

Competencies

• Detailed Oriented
• Problem Solving/Analysis
• Verbal Communication Skills
• Technical Capacity
• Strong Organization Skills
• Trend Analysis

Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment
This job operates in an office, lab and plant environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. Exposed to extreme temperature variations. The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud.

Physical Demands
The physical demands for this position are mainly able to do sedentary work. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently will need to sit, stand, walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. Typical hours of work are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, with night and weekend work as needed

Travel
Occasional travel expected for this position.

Required Education, Experience & Certifications

Bachelors degree in, food science, food technology, chemistry, engineering, or related field of study and two years of dairy processing, dairy applications, dairy R&D or similar foods/products, cheese making or cultured dairy products, experience. Proficiency in basic computer skills.

Preferred Education, Experience & Certifications

Master’s degree in related field and/or 5 years of applicable experience in food processing manufacturing environment. Bilingual in English/Spanish.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications
None.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of responsibilities, duties or tasks that are required of the employee for this job. Responsibilities, duties and tasks may change at any time with or without notice.

Monday through Friday, with night and weekend work as needed
8:00 am - 5:00 pm