Research & Development - Food Manufacturing

Job Title: Research & Development (Food Industry)

Location: Minneapolis, MN 55427

Duration: 12 Months temp to hire.

Shift: M-F 1st shift

Job Title: Stability Panel Technologist – Consumer Experience Team

About the Role:

• This is a full-time, primarily on-site, temp-to-hire contractor position based out of Golden Valley, MN. Candidates must reside within daily commute distance to Golden Valley, MN. Companies provided with technology will be used for this position. Position is intended to convert to a permanent position with General Mills within 6-12 months for strong performing talent.

Position Overview:

• This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team focused on delivering and protecting quality across brands and platforms through close partnership with Stability Scientists and Medallion Laboratories. In the Stability Panel Technologist role, you will have the opportunity to lead the Stability taste panel which provides guidance and facilitates data driven decisions about product shelf life. This role will leverage your strong technical and executional skills to support all aspects of the Stability panel—from planning & executing routine panel sessions to developing your sensory knowledge (language & techniques) and reporting. This role also supports the initiation of external Medallion Laboratories client stability projects and support throughout the execution process, playing a critical project leadership role.
• The right candidate for this role will leverage strong attention to detail, strong collaboration, and ability to lead a group of trained taste panelists. This role will provide you with technical depth focused on sensory and shelf life and expose you to a wide range of product categories and brands.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead and facilitate stability panel sessions end-to-end: sample prep, protocols, ballots, serving plans, timing.
• Ability to taste and evaluate all product and ingredient samples for each project.
• Set up and execution of panel evaluations.
• Follow defined sensory testing parameters; maintain strong GMPs.
• Lead calibration testing with the panel and stability scientists.
• Create concise, timely reporting and documentation.
• Foster agility through cross-training with other panel leaders
• Partner with Medallion on customer calls, protocol set up in LIMS, invoicing, etc.
• Receive samples and coordinate to get them placed into necessary conditions.
• Collaborate with team members, support Stability Scientists
• Support special projects as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 2-year degree or high school degree with 3-5 years of related experience
• Computer/Technology skills (e.g. Microsoft Office, Teams, SharePoint)
• Comfortable in lab environment and leading panel session with 6 – 8 panelists
• High attention to detail, strong organization and collaboration skills, and partnership mindset
• Proactive and self-motivated with a strong commitment to quality work
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities effectively.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills
• Ability to lift 50 lbs

Preferred Qualifications:

• B.S. in Food Science (or related) and/or relevant lab/food industry experience
• Familiarity with food shelf-life testing and product sensory evaluation experience a plus
• Training/teaching/faciliation skills a plus