Overview:

Jensen Meat Company, a leader in meat manufacturing and plant-based product innovation, is seeking a Research & Development (R&D) Food Scientist to drive product formulation, quality assurance, and ingredient sourcing. This role is responsible for developing new food formulations, refining existing recipes, sourcing high-quality ingredients, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in food science, chemistry, and sensory evaluation, with experience in both meat and plant-based product development. This individual will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure products meet Jensen Meat Company’s quality, safety, and regulatory standards while aligning with consumer preferences and industry trends.

Primary Responsibilities:

Product Development & Formulation

Develop, optimize, and refine formulations for new and existing meat and plant-based food products.
Conduct research on ingredient functionality, nutritional content, and food chemistry to enhance product quality.
Establish product specifications, processing instructions, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Collaborate with production teams to ensure seamless product scale-up from R&D to manufacturing.

Ingredient Sourcing & Vendor Management

Research, evaluate, and select ingredient suppliers based on quality, availability, and cost-effectiveness.
Develop relationships with vendors to maintain a consistent and reliable ingredient supply chain.
Ensure all sourced ingredients meet regulatory, food safety, and quality control standards.

Food Safety & Quality Assurance

Design and implement testing protocols to assess product consistency, safety, and stability.
Conduct sensory evaluations, including texture, taste, aroma, and appearance analysis, to optimize consumer experience.
Work closely with the Quality Assurance team to ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, and other industry regulations.
Establish biological parameters and validation testing to ensure food safety and extend shelf life.

Research, Innovation & Regulatory Compliance

Monitor food science advancements and industry trends to drive innovation in product development.
Research and implement new food processing techniques, including nanotechnology and sustainable packaging solutions.
Ensure formulations align with regulatory requirements, food labeling laws, and safety protocols.
Maintain detailed documentation of all R&D activities, product trials, and testing results.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with Marketing and Sales to provide technical expertise on product attributes and competitive differentiation.
Partner with Production and Operations teams to resolve manufacturing challenges and improve efficiencies.
Collaborate with regulatory agencies, consultants, and suppliers to ensure all products meet compliance and certification requirements.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, or a related field required.
1-3 years of experience in food product development, formulation, or food manufacturing.
Experience in both meat-based and plant-based food development is highly preferred.

Knowledge & Skills:

Strong understanding of food chemistry, microbiology, and sensory evaluation techniques.
Proficiency in ingredient functionality, food safety protocols, and quality assurance methodologies.
Knowledge of USDA, FDA, and HACCP regulations related to food production.
Hands-on experience with laboratory testing, data analysis, and statistical evaluation.
Ability to work in laboratory, office, and food production environments, following biosecurity and safety protocols.
Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to troubleshoot formulation and production challenges.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel for data analysis, and industry-specific software.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Ability to work in a laboratory, production facility, and office setting as needed.
Must follow biosecurity measures, wear appropriate PPE, and comply with food safety regulations.
Work may involve exposure to cold storage areas, food processing equipment, and ingredient handling.
Occasional domestic and international travel may be required for supplier visits, product trials, or industry events.

Opportunities for Growth

Gain certifications in HACCP, food safety, sensory evaluation, or regulatory compliance.
Expand expertise in advanced product development, ingredient sourcing, and sustainability practices.
Develop into senior R&D or leadership roles within food innovation and product development.

Jensen Meat Company

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Research & Development Food Scientist