Food Scientist Ii - Plant Based Yogurt

About The Job

Everyone on our Research & Innovation (R&I) team shares a passion for innovation, new process, new formulations, new packaging and new ways of thinking. By joining this team, you will use your scientific expertise to bring health through food, meet the needs of consumers and nurture growth in the business. We are looking to hire a Food Scientist II on our plant-based yogurt team, based in Broomfield/Louisville, CO!

You will be responsible for collaborating with a cross-functional team to design, develop and commercialize winning plant-based and/or dairy yogurts based on consumer and market understanding. You will also be tasked with developing the formula & process, then ensuring smooth scale-up in factory, while validating post-launch success. The role encompasses leading product development programs across innovation, renovation and productivity. This position involves strong interactions with internal cross-functional teams and external suppliers, hands-on bench and analytical work, pilot plant work, managing formula cost and specifications (ingredients, product & process), conducting and coordinating industrial tests in plants, and assisting in industrial scale-up. This position necessitates someone with strong technical curiosity, willingness to learn and application of technical understandings around plant-based yogurts. The candidate must have strong timeline management and communication skills and must be able to represent R&I interests during all project and cross-functional interactions.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR

• Participating as an R&I representative for product launch/start-up by preparing all specifications related to product line (except packaging) and ensuring that all documentation needed is available prior to start up.
• Contributing to innovation and productivity pipelines outside chartered program work by engaging with the broader plant-based community, suppliers, external partners and internal cross-functional teams.
• Realizing scale-up / industrialization with Engineering and Manufacturing partners and conducting shelf-life studies.
• Designing pilot trials (DOE), organizing tasting sessions with Marketing, and drawing conclusions and recommendations for next steps.
• Ensuring all developed products meet internal and external guidelines for nutrition, regulatory affairs, and food labeling (including a broad range of certifications).
• Sourcing and maintaining vendor relationships to secure the necessary ingredients that align with prevailing company standards. Evaluating new suppliers and/or ingredients.
• Working within project teams as the R&I lead to develop formulas and processes, address technical hurdles, provide guidance related to commercialization, assess risks and manage R&I timelines.
• Collaborating with suppliers to obtain the best results for product development (brief suppliers and follow up on their progress).
• Planning, executing, and managing the development of prototype products in lab, pilot plant and at production facilities. Maintaining stringent technical and experimental documentation.
• Identifying new suppliers that bring technological advantage to Danone’s product portfolio and share insights across all impacted within the R&I organization.
• Ability to drive projects across various technical categories as business needs deem necessary.
• Driving continuous improvement across all areas of the role including systems, established WoW, and manufacturing procedures.
• Networking with Danone global R&I community to share best practices on current processes/products.
• Participating in consumer test design, organize sample production and ensure product quality follow up.
• Independently managing medium technical complexity projects according to STAGE GATE PROCESS methodology.

The base compensation range for this position is $75,000-99,000. Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.

About You

You will have

• Master’s degree in food science, nutrition, or closely related field with at least 3 years of relevant progressive experience
• Flexibility to travel (25%) & willingness to support plant trials outside of business hours
• The following combination of education and experience is required for this position
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage and track multiple projects
• Proficient in product development systems and general computer skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Passionate about continuous improvement and optimization of WoW
• Passionate about creating, rapid prototyping, development and commercialization of ideas under tight timelines
• Ability to work cross-functionally and able to train staff
• Strong project management, organization and leadership skills
• Bachelor’s degree in food science, nutrition, or closely related field with at least 5 years of relevant progressive experience
• Proficient technical skills on product formulation, industrial processes and manufacturing practices, preferred knowledge on dairy and/or plant-based development, specifically around fermentation
• PhD degree in in food science, nutrition, or closely related field with at least 1 years of relevant progressive experience

About us

At Danone North America, you’ll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world like Activia, Silk, So Delicious, Horizon Organic, Two Good, Oikos, evian, and Happy Family. You’ll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world, working together to make sure our brands create real benefits for people, communities, and the planet. We have 6,000+ employees across the U.S. and Canada. Come join our movement for a healthier world One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America doesn’t just welcome what makes you unique, we value it. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All hires to our team are based on qualifications, merit and business needs. We recruit, employ, train and promote regardless of race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic or any other protected status. Faithful to our values of openness and humanism, all of our employees share in the commitment to engage one another with dignity and respect. http//www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

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