Location: Gridley,IL, USA
Job Type Full-time Description Position Summary The Extrusion Scientist is responsible for applying a highly scientific approach to healthy snacking product development activities. Primarily leading and directing process and product development activities and other assigned duties primarily in the area of extrusion processing. Work with customer representatives at all levels to refine product concepts, create pilot samples, assist with commercialization, and support process/product improvements. Create technical product specifications and formulations based on customer expectations, realistic production capabilities, and applicable food industry regulations. All employees are expected to immediately communicate any food safety or quality issues to their manager for resolution. Representative Responsibilities 1) Primary responsibility for Company and customer projects within assigned technology area. a. Organize, develop, and conduct pre-trial planning and communications with internal and/or external stakeholders. b. Serve as primary point of contact and leader for assigned projects with other team support as needed. c. Ensure proper materials, staff, and equipment on-hand to prepare for and complete trials. Willingness to learn to pilot plant equipment and to support the maintenance, setup, operation, and sanitation along with other pilot plant technicians and staff. d. Ensure successful completion of technology transfer process for items scaling to commercial processing line(s). e. Attend scaleup validation trials at internal/external commercial production facilities as required to ensure project transition success. f. Serve as a consulting resource for internal Operations support and external manufacturing partners in the event of technical processing issues requiring additional expertise. 2) Willingness to share workload related to small scale commercial production runs at PML by serving in hands-on roles such as blending, extruder operations, sanitation, and/or product packaging as needed. 3) Possess a thorough operational and theoretical knowledge of extrusion processing and analytical equipment. 4) Maintain all applicable R&D project documentation to ensure compliance with internal and external requirements. 5) Develop tentative product specifications, nutritional information, and other key product parameters. 6) Assist in training presentation and development related to assign process technology, process improvements, standard operating procedures, and product safety/quality. 7) Communicate any observed food safety and quality concerns to the appropriate personnel. 8) Support continuous improvement efforts related to engineering, procedural, product, quality, and safety. 9) Continuously drive self-development and development of others to ensure an effective and cohesive team environment. Direct Reporting Employees None Requirements Qualifications •A minimum of 1 year of experience in food processing is preferred in this role with preference for direct experience in extrusion processing. •Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Food Science, or other relevant discipline. Advanced degree a plus. •Detail oriented and attentive. •Thorough scientific understanding of food ingredient functionality, food ingredient interactions, and food processing. •Models the highest levels of integrity, humility, and willingness to learn and teach. •Basic understanding of food product labeling, nutrition, and packaging. •Expert level knowledge of Genesis R&D (or similar) formulation and nutritional analysis software. •Working level knowledge of TraceGains documentation management system. •Intermediate computer skills with thorough working knowledge of MS Office software suite. •Well-developed sense of personal initiative and ability to work with little direct supervision. •Willingness and ability to independently travel overnight via commercial transportation or driving motor vehicle to support business objectives up to 25%. •Exceptional communication skills - verbal and written Physical Requirements •Visual acuity to determine accuracy, neatness, thoroughness, variances in product (including color vision). •While performing the duties of this role, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. •The employee is required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; climb or balance; kneel, crouch, or crawl. •Ability to exert and/or lift 50lbs occasionally. •Visual acuity to determine accuracy, neatness, thoroughness, variances in product (including color vision). •Physical/environmental conditions may include exposure to noise, dusts, chemicals, and allergens. What We Would Like to Offer You! The opportunity to develop your career on a global stage, continuous learning through an on-demand learning platform, and a competitive compensation package including staff discounts, generous family leave policy, health & dental plan, competitive salary, 401(k) with Company match. About Glanbia The Glanbia Group comprises three divisions: Glanbia Performance Nutrition, Glanbia Nutritionals, and Joint Ventures. Collectively and with our partners we offer an incredible breadth of expertise in nutrition. We employ a team of 6,000 people, work with global food and beverage companies, and sell our award-winning and market-leading products in 130 countries worldwide. At Glanbia, we celebrate diversity, because we know that our individual strengths make us stronger together. We welcome and encourage interest from a variety of candidates, we will give your application consideration, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status. At Glanbia, our culture celebrates individuality, knowing that together we are more.