What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Development Technologist – Fresh Foods position at Clemens Family Corporation?
Why Join as Product Development Technologist – Fresh Foods?
This role offers early career professionals the chance to take ownership of real products, real timelines, and real business impact. You will not sit on the sidelines. You will work directly in a manufacturing environment where your decisions influence what gets produced, how it performs, and how quickly it reaches customers.
The Impact You’ll Make
You will drive the execution of multiple product initiatives across fresh pork portfolios. Your work ensures products meet technical standards, launch on time, and perform as expected in a live production environment. You will become a trusted partner to Operations, QA, and Commercial teams by delivering accurate, timely, and practical solutions.
What You’ll Do
- Manage 10–15 active projects across product development and commercialization
- Own Bill of Materials (BOM) accuracy, timing, and execution
- Support plant trials, validations, and production implementation
- Partner with Operations, QA, and cross-functional teams to solve problems quickly
- Translate product requirements into clear specifications and production-ready outputs
- Prioritize competing demands in a fast-moving environment
- Provide technical support for customer and internal needs
What Makes This Role Exciting?
- High ownership early in your career
- Direct exposure to plant operations and real-time decision making
- Fast-paced environment with constant variety and challenge
- Opportunity to influence product outcomes at scale
- Independence to manage your work while being supported by experienced mentors
What We’re Looking For
- Degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Animal Science, or related field
- Less than 3 years of relevant experience or internships
- Strong ability to manage multiple priorities at once
- Comfort working in a fast-paced, sometimes ambiguous environment
- Solid problem-solving skills and practical thinking
Skills & Mindset
- Detail-oriented with strong accuracy in execution
- Self-starter who takes ownership without constant direction
- Strong communicator across technical and non-technical teams
- Able to challenge assumptions and improve processes
- Comfortable balancing desk-based work with plant execution
- Demonstrates common sense and sound judgment
This role is ideal for people who…
- Thrive in a fast-paced environment and can manage multiple projects and shift priorities at once
- Are detail-oriented and execution-focused, ensuring accuracy and getting things right the first time
- Enjoy working independently to solve problems and apply practical thinking in real-world manufacturing settings.
This role is not ideal for people who…
- Prefer a slow-paced, highly structured environment with predictable workflows
- Want a traditional lab or bench-based R&D role instead of plant-based execution
- Struggle with ambiguity, multitasking, or making decisions without perfect information
Your Future as a Product Development Technologist – Fresh Foods
This role builds a strong foundation in product development, commercialization, and plant operations. You will gain experience that prepares you for advanced roles in R&D, technical leadership, or broader commercial and operational functions within the business.
Agency Statement:
Clemens Food Group does not accept unsolicited resumes from search or staffing firms. All resumes submitted by search or staffing firms to any employee at Clemens Food Group via email, the Internet, or directly without a valid written search agreement for this role, and without having been asked to participate in this by Talent Acquisition, will be deemed the sole property of Clemens Food Group, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired. Firms not authorized to submit candidates will not be eligible for any fee or ownership claim.
EEO Statement:
It is the policy of Clemens Food Group to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. All employees are subject to a pre-employment screening process, including a background check and drug screen. In addition, we will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing the application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to your recruiter.