What are the responsibilities and job description for the Food Scientist position at The Sterling Choice?
Key Responsibilities
Product Development & Innovation
- Lead formulation development for new products, line extensions, and product improvements across assigned categories.
- Conduct bench-top experiments, pilot plant trials, and full-scale commercialization.
- Translate consumer insights, trends, and customer requests into feasible product concepts.
- Evaluate ingredient functionality and recommend optimal solutions for taste, texture, stability, and shelf life.
Commercialization & Scale-Up
- Partner with Operations and Manufacturing to ensure smooth scale-up from benchtop to plant.
- Develop finished product and process specifications, including formulas, SOPs, and supporting documentation.
- Identify potential production risks and develop mitigation plans to ensure product consistency and quality.
Technical Documentation & Regulatory
- Maintain accurate formulas, specifications, and R&D documentation.
- Ensure regulatory compliance, including labeling, allergen management, nutritional requirements, and customer documentation requests.
- Collaborate with QA on food safety, shelf-life studies, and product performance testing.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Procurement on ingredient sourcing and cost optimization.
- Support Sales and Marketing with technical insights and customer presentations.
- Participate in customer visits, product cuttings, and product demonstrations as needed.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Dairy Science, Microbiology, or related field.
- 3-5 years of experience in product development or R&D within the food & beverage industry (preference in protein)
Technical Skills
- Strong understanding of ingredient functionality, formulation, and food processing principles.
- Experience with bench formulation, pilot trials, shelf-life testing, and sensory evaluation.
- Familiarity with HACCP, GMPs, FDA/USDA regulations, and basic nutrition labeling.
- Comfortable working in both lab and plant environments.
Salary : $105,000 - $130,000