R&D Food Scientist bei Heartland Food Products Group

Heartland Food Products Group is a global leader inthe consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, producing low-calorie sweeteners,coffee, coffee creamers and liquid water enhancers. We manufacture and marketSplenda, the #1 brand in the low calorie sweetener category and the mostrecognized in the world. 

We make coffee, tea and water taste better and helppeople live happier, healthier and longer lives by making it easy to reducesugar.

Scope:

The R&D Food Scientist position is focused on application product development. This position will support lead and drive product innovation projects, product renovation projects, and alternate material projects for the company. Other responsibilities include stability testing support and compounding to support product controls for the plant. Key categories will include non-nutritive sweeteners, liquid water enhancers, liquid concentrates, tea beverages and flavored drinks. The duties in this position are expected to evolve over time as a result of the company’s growth and expansion into new technologies.

Essential Duties and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and or support product development projects (innovation, renovation, alternate materials) from concept to commercialization.
• Provides leadership to the organization in the areas of food science.
• Designs new products based on targeted flavor profile, organoleptic parameters such as sweetness, mouth feel, color, shelf life and nutritional content while maintaining adherence to government and industry standards.
• Creates nutrition labels and ingredient lists using nutrition labeling software and understanding of government regulations.
• Develops specifications for finished products with physical, chemical, and sensory properties.  
• Develops batching instructions for pilot plant and operations.
• Generates and optimizes costs of formulations in collaboration with procurement and finance.
• Collaborates with ingredient vendors to obtain best product results, costing and supply.
• Leads pilot and commercial scale up trials and monitors first three commercial productions.
• Regularly collaborates with Operations and advises solutions for production issues.
• Maintains and organizes physical and electronic formulation records.
• Support logistics on the verification of ingredients in inventory for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
  • Assures all activities follow Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and all required Company policies and procedures.
  • Follows GMP’s, maintains sanitary conditions, adheres to safe work practices and ensures that product quality is maintained.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related disciplines required. Master Degree or Ph.D.
• Preferred of 1-2 years of food industry product development experience.
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Comfortable working cross functionally and leading project teams  
• Excellent organizational and communication (oral and written) skills, proficiency in speaking, comprehending, reading and writing English required.
• Excellent mathematical skills and knowledge of, or ability to learn.
• Computer literacy including competency with Microsoft Office and demonstrated ability to operate complex software programs required.
• Able to multitask, work alone with light supervision and in a team environment.
• Enjoys working in laboratory and pilot plant.
• Fast learner, flexible and willing to help where needed.

Physical Demands: 

• Must be able to physically perform the functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions 
• Must be able to work seated using a computer and phone for long periods of time.
• Must be able to work extended hours, such as daily overtime and an occasional weekend 
• Must possess visual acuity to document company records 
• Continuous walking throughout plant and distribution center.
• Lifting up to 40 pounds