R&D Technologist (Innovation) - Kettle & Fire

Position Summary 

The R&D Technologist will be responsible for leading and supporting new product development, cost optimization projects and commercialization projects across Kettle & Fire and private label brands directly from our product manufacturing facilities, focusing on technical knowledge of thermally processed low acid foods. This position will frequently interact with quality control, warehouse, and production departments to ensure R&D processes are efficient, cost effective, and meet best in class company standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

 Project Management:

• Support and lead projects related to new product development, cost optimization and quality improvement.
• Manage plant trials in collaboration with operations, ensuring proper trial setup, data and sample collection, and timely delivery of trial reports.
• Actively participate in pre- and post-trial meetings, finished product evaluations, and shelf-life testing.
• Identify, analyze, and implement changes or improvements to existing processes to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality.
• Collaborate with R&D management and manufacturing operations to troubleshoot product and processing issues, finding timely and effective solutions.

Data Collection and Analysis:

• Collect, analyze, and interpret data across various R&D projects, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
• Maintain detailed records of all project-related data and prepare reports for R&D management and cross-functional teams.
• Utilize statistical methods and software tools to analyze experimental results and optimize processes.

Facility and Equipment Maintenance:

• Maintain R&D pilot plant and laboratory facilities, ensuring a safe, organized, and fully operational environment.
• Conduct regular equipment maintenance, manage inventory, and adhere to safety and regulatory standards.
• Lead R&D management in manufacturing operations to troubleshoot product and/or processing issues and find timely solutions.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Build strong working relationships with R&D colleagues, multidisciplinary company teams and food industry regulatory bodies.
• Communicate project progress, challenges, and results effectively with cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment and timely project delivery.
• Participate in cross-departmental meetings to provide insights and updates on ongoing R&D activities.

Compliance and Safety:

• Ensure all R&D activities comply with company policies, safety protocols, and regulatory standards.
• Adhere to GMP, HACCP, and other food safety standards during the R&D process.

Key Metrics:

• Percentage of R&D projects completed on time and within scope.
• The number of new products or processes developed and successfully implemented.
• The frequency and effectiveness of collaboration with other departments.

Minimum Qualifications: (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Bachelor of Science degree in Food Sciences, Science or Engineering - Required
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in a similar role in the food manufacturing industry.
• Culinary experience - Preferred 
• Strong understanding of R&D processes, with a proven track recording managing and delivering projects on time.
• Experience managing and delivering projects on time.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and quickly adapt to changing priorities.
• Independent thinker with the skills to develop hypotheses and execute analysis plans.
• Proficiency in managing R&D documentation and data analysis.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Striving to achieve high standards, seeking innovative solutions, driving continuous improvement of products and processes and demonstrating high degree of intellectual curiosity.
• Strong communication and organizational skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen. 

The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.