R&D Food Technologist

Summary

SOPAKCO is still one of the leading providers of Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) to the U.S. military. In addition to producing emergency meal rations, SOPAKCO has developed into an innovative food processing company for major national and international brands.

Responsibilities

• Create new food formulations and samples.
• Document product specifications and processes for the consistent production of various manufactured food products.
• Manage food product document control and records, including specifications, food safety, verification, product identification trace, and incident management.
• Collaborate with the R&D team to ensure accurate development of all specifications (ingredient, formula, making, finished product, trade, labeling, and handling) before product launch.
• Oversee product development, batch testing, product test runs, and Pilot Plant validations.
• Regularly conduct benchtop work on current and new products and formulations to maintain product consistency and improve operational efficiencies.
• Develop SOPs in coordination with quality and operations to ensure the product consistently meets sensory "gold standards" and product specifications.

Essential Functions:

• Develop prototypes and scale up to pilot plant and production levels for shelf-stable side dishes and entrees.
• Coordinate and provide technical direction, including the development of formulations, procedures, and specifications, for all plant trials and start-up items.
• Write ingredients, nutrition, and allergen statements for new products and changes in existing products.
• Conduct product demonstrations and cuttings to upper management of new products, reformulations, and ingredient substitutions.
• Record and analyze data from experiments and keep electronic files and/or hard copies of data that can be retrieved at a later date.
• Support Production with Cost Reduction Efforts by evaluating alternative vendors and ingredients.
• Routinely perform benchtop work on current and new products and formulations to maintain product consistency while driving operational efficiencies.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in conjunction with quality and operations to ensure the product consistently meets sensory "gold standards" and product specifications.
• Evaluate opportunities for processing improvements by researching innovative technologies, equipment, work processes, and/or formula changes to improve our "gold standard" products and drive operational efficiencies.
• Own and maintain all Bills of Materials (BOMs) and work in conjunction with operation, quality, and accounting to ensure BOMs are correctly reflected in systems and work processes.
• Routinely monitor production runs at facilities to identify areas of improvement in the raw processing, cooking, and finished pack-out of our products.
• Conduct project experiments, including bench-top, pilot plant, and production plant trials.
• Run Design of Experiments (DOE), including bench-top, pilot, and production plant trials.
• Organize and execute routine product performance and analytical evaluations; and document/present results.
• Provide Research and Development (R&D) oversight on commercialization and innovation projects working with Marketing, Supply Chain, and Operations. Own the product design, feasibility, and trial runs/performance for projects.
• Participate in plant scale-up runs, ensuring the product meets necessary specifications while running efficiently in the facility.
• Identify and validate new ingredients in partnership with Procurement: request samples, evaluate key information (e.g., specifications, quality), and conduct tests to validate and approve.
• All State and Federal food manufacturing laws, food safety requirements, good manufacturing practices (GMPs), and other standard industry manufacturing practices must be adhered to at all times.

Requirements

Qualifications

• A degree in a related field such as Food Science, Microbiology, Animal Science, or Chemistry
• 4 or more years of experience in R&D or Food Technology in a food manufacturing or food development company
• Experience in cooked meat product development with strong attention to detail and excellent communication skills.
• Proficiency in understanding ingredient combinations and functionality
• Excellent technical writing skills with a keen focus on detail
• Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA & US Government regulations, including labeling & nutritional facts
• Proficiency in Genesis Nutritional Software, MS Office Suite, and ERP Programs
• Culinary Food Service training is considered an advantage.
• Authorization to work in the USA without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Position Summary: This role involves developing and controlling formulations and manufacturing procedures for SOPAKCO, particularly focusing on new product development. The responsibilities include developing retorted or other heat-processed products for both government and commercial accounts, as well as troubleshooting production issues and providing guidance for solving these issues.