R&D Pilot Plant Technician

Join our dynamic team as an R&D Pilot Plant Technician, where your primary focus will be on grinding, dicing, handling, and processing raw and cooked meat in a state-of-the-art facility. This role is pivotal to our Pet department, working within air-conditioned meat rooms that may contain various odors.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate equipment while adhering to food safety requirements and performing risk assessments.
• Conduct basic analytical tests, troubleshoot issues, and build skills in basic unit operations.
• Adapt and flex across teams within a platform as work needs shift.
• Perform equipment sanitation and basic equipment setup activities.
• Develop technical skills in product, process, and/or packaging.
• Consistently lift, manipulate, and transport ingredients or equipment weighing up to 55 lbs.
• Support various operations across different business platforms to expand capabilities for future development.
• Operate mixing and grinding equipment.
• Follow COHE procedures and use hand tools and instructions for equipment setup.
• Perform operator quality checks, moisture content tests using NIR, and temperature readings using a thermometer.

• High School Degree required.
• 3-5 years of directly relatable experience or a 2-Year Degree preferred.
• Ability to lift, manipulate, and transport up to 55 lbs.
• Basic computer and technology skills, including Office Suite.
• Strong communication skills with peers and customers.
• Basic understanding of food safety and human safety.
• Ability to work in hot, warm, or cool conditions within the plant.

• Steel Toe Boots/Shoes required.
• Exposure to common allergens including milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.
• 2-Year Science Degree or 4-Year Science Degree preferred.
• Exposure to food science, dairy science, nutrition, or related coursework is advantageous.

Work in a pilot plant production environment alongside food product developers, test kitchen staff, and production staff. This role involves manual work and heavy lifting, with tasks including sanitization before and after production runs. The division comprises 10-15 different pilot plants, including fruit snacks, dairy, pet food, grains and bars, and cereal. Collaborate with Food Scientists to innovate and test new food products. This position offers the opportunity to gain valuable food science knowledge and work closely with lab and food scientists.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Minneapolis, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $21.00 - $22.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Minneapolis,MN.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

Salary : $21 - $22