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.
