Associate Scientist

Description

This position is responsible for taking new, improved and optimized products from concept through successful commercialization by utilizing skills in formulation, product and consumer testing, and translation from bench to large scale production.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
  • Coordinates technical components of a project by coordinating activities of a cross functional team.
  • Works with internal ingredient team and external vendors to select raw materials for a given product.
  • Presents iterative prototypes/concepts to business team members, makes technical recommendations to meet project objectives.
  • Develops specifications and testing protocol for new products based on critical consumer and customer attributes.
  • Supports cost savings initiatives through ingredient, product & process optimization.
  • Provides technical support to Marketing & Sales as required.

Position Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals qualified with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Leadership
  • Creates an environment that encourages and teamwork and collaboration, both internally and externally.
  • Excellent problem solving skills, viewing the problem as a whole and working with others as needed to resolve it.
  • Developed project and time management skills.

Communication
  • Strong written, oral, and facilitation skills.
  • Ability to evaluate and communicate project status, issues, or risk appropriately.
  • Conveys technical information in understandable terms to all levels of the organization.

Technical Capability
  • Demonstrates understanding of function and interaction of ingredient categories (flour, leavening, etc.) to optimize formulas and processes.
  • Uses scientific method or approach to experiment, solve problems, and conduct data analysis and interpretation.
  • Willingness to work with peers in a plant environment to test, scale-up, and commercialize products.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and other computer applications to access information, analyze data and solve problems

Personal and Social Competence
  • High integrity and honesty, promoting trust in all actions
  • Ability to effectively work and establish relationships with internal/external counterparts: Manufacturing, Quality, Marketing, Supply Chain, Vendors.
  • Enjoys working in a results-oriented, customer focused, team environment.
  • Ability to turn around projects at a fast pace.
  • Flexible with ability to handle changing timelines and priorities.
  • Creative and change-oriented, willing to constructively challenge the status quo.
  • Physical - standing, bending, and lifting of product (up to 50 lbs)
  • Willingness and ability to travel 15-25%

Education and/or Experience:
  • B.A., B.S., or M.S. in Food Science or related field, or equivalent experience/training.
  • 0 - 3 years progressive product development experience.
  • Working knowledge of Stage Gate commercialization process is desirable.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone along with reaching. Specific vision abilities include close vision requirements due to computer work. Moderate noise, ability to work in a confined area, and ability to sit at a computer for an extended period of time are also included.

The policy of The Krusteaz Company is to hire, train, and promote all persons in all job groups in accordance with law, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital or military status, national origin, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law.

Get to know us:
  • A people-focused company that cares​: We're a 90-year-old company with the entrepreneurial spirit of a startup and a focused eye on the future. As a midsized, privately-held company with a portfolio of beloved food and beverage brands, our people are the most important ingredient in our success.
  • A valued and supported workforce​: We place tremendous value in our employees and provide competitive pay and comprehensive benefits to ensure our employees can create the best life for themselves. Benefits include a top tier health insurance plan with lower than average employee cost share, generous PTO, 401(k) match, and more.
  • An engaged and energized culture​: At The Krusteaz Company, collaboration and ingenuity drive our fierce commitment to creating extraordinary product experiences that people love.
  • A place to grow and make a difference: An entrepreneurial spirit has been at the core of our company since the beginning, attracting self-starters who are curious and love to learn and to share ideas.

Hybrid Work Model: At The Krusteaz Company, we have in-office "core days" of Tuesdays and Wednesdays where all corporate employees are expected to be onsite. Monday, Thursdays, and Fridays are flexible remote days to allow for work/life balance. You may be asked to come in outside of a core day from time to time, based on business needs. We have found aligning our scheduled in-office days provides opportunity for employees to build connections and collaborate together.

Benefits: We are proud to offer generous benefits including comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance (starting at $45/month for employee only coverage), 401(K) matching, 3 weeks of paid vacation, 10 paid holidays, company provided life insurance and disability insurance, flexible spending account and tuition reimbursement.

Salary Information:
  • An employee in this position can expect a salary range between $60,257 and $96,414. We typically pay between $67,000 and $85,000. The actual salary offered will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including internal equity, experience, education, certification, training, and location. All positions are eligible for additional incentives based on business performance.