Senior Scientist, Dairy

Our client is a multi-billion dollar manufacturer of dairy products.  They are a company whose purpose includes nourishing families through the support they provide each other as a family of employees. They have a new opportunity for a Sr. Scientist, Dairy at their facility in Rochester, Minnesota. This division manufactures ice cream and has recently unveiled new products such as yogurt smoothies, probiotic milks and low-sugar frozen yogurt.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Proactively lead the development and commercialization of fluid, cultured, and frozen dairy products.
  • Originate technical plan to achieve project charter objectives (cost, quality, time).
  • Incorporate market research insights to create products that delight consumers.
  • Evaluate competitive products to ensure prototypes are comparable or better.
  • Procure raw materials and technical information needed for product and label development.
  • Create cost formulas that meet business unit objectives.
  • Create batching procedures and process flow diagrams that successfully scale up in manufacturing facilities.
  • Lead pilot plant development, production trials, and commercialization.
  • Create specifications that achieve consistent finished product quality.
  • Record test procedures and observations.
  • Lead product evaluations and interpret shelf life results.
  • Lead technical input and implement recommendations.
  • Determine technical risks and implement contingency plans.
  • Communicate project results with senior leadership.
  • Document and proactively improve research processes.
  • Train and mentor fellow RD teammates.
  • Pursue technical applications related to future company needs.

Required Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

  • BS in Food Science (or comparable field of expertise) with at least 8 years of relevant work experience.
  • MS in Food Science (or comparable field of expertise) with at least 6 years of relevant work experience.
  • PhD in Food Science (or comparable field of expertise) with at least 4 years of relevant work experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Technical Knowledge. – In depth technical knowledge of fluid, cultured, and frozen dairy products.
  • Problem Solving. – Expert problem solver, provide solutions to a wide range of complex problems by applying advanced knowledge and extensive experience.
  • Project Leadership – Proficient, results oriented project leader with ability to leverage consumer insights and technical capabilities to commercialize complex new products, cost savings, and quality improvements.
  • Customer Focus – Understands and anticipates internal/external customers business needs and continually searches for ways to exceed customer expectations.
  • Communication – Excellent interpersonal communication skills to network, develop trust, and build relationships, with technical and business partners.
  • Productivity – Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects and changing priorities.

For more information, please contact Moira McGrath at OPUS International, Inc. 954 428-3888 or call moira@foodscience.com