R&D Principal Scientist

Job Vacancy— R&D Principal Scientist

Hilbert/Whitehall, WI

Role Overview: OINA has an exciting opportunity to join its R&D team. Our Scientists/Technologists collaborate closely with our customers, suppliers and their Ornua global teammates to identify and implement best practice, to develop and commercialize cutting edge solutions for everyday problems and to participate in platform technology development.

The R&D Principal Scientist is an integral member of the R&D team, leading and managing projects and concept development, mentoring and working collaboratively with other R&D members to support the development and optimization of technologies and functional cheese ingredients that meet our customer needs. This is a position that provides an excellent opportunity for continuous learning and professional development. Join a team and an organization that puts innovation at the heart of our business strategy. At Ornua, we don't just develop great products, we develop great people.

The successful candidate will be self-motivated, with a progressive approach and a sense of urgency. Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to work cooperatively in a team environment. Able to transfer scientific knowledge to operational and practical applications. They will possess excellent verbal and written communication and computer skills. Last but not least, be able to manage time effectively to meet deadlines and adjust appropriately to changes in priorities.

Reports to: TBD

Required Qualifications:

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. as needed, climb stairs, ambulate uneven and/or wet surfaces.
• Bachelor’s degree in food, Dairy, or related scientific field with +10 years of relevant experience or advanced degree (MS/PhD) in closely related scientific field with +6 years of relevant experience
• Must have valid driver’s license with ability and willingness to travel, including internationally.

Other Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of sensory science and texture analysis techniques
• Experience working in Food industry - B2B product development, formulation, and commercialization of cheese/dairy/food products
• Lean Six Sigma experience/certification or likewise
• Familiarity with FDA Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) cheese standards, and dairy products guidelines, definitions, nutritional and labeling claims.
• Experience or familiarity working with starch systems, protein matrices and/or plant-based cheese
• Technical knowledge of standardized/non-standardized processed cheese or imitation cheese
• Experience working in application lab, pilot plant systems and with laboratory instrumentation.
• Culinary experience designing custom applications with custom cheese ingredients will be a plus

Principal Duties:

• Actively experiment with new approaches and methods at lab, pilot and operational level.
• Mentor R&D colleagues and support talent development, identification, and acquisition.
• Develop strategically impactful concepts and lead cross functional teams to explore and ultimately commercialize.
• Work closely with our sales and the customers to develop products appropriate for their application with consideration for their manufacturing lines.
• Conduct challenge studies and shelf-life studies where appropriate on new products.
• Ensure prototypes are developed with required functionality according to supplied information and within OINA turn-around time parameters and to requested timetables when appropriate. Ensure all product testing meets analytical, application and functional performance per customer requirements
• Conduct on-going sensory/organoleptic analyses of Ornua products as required, including tasting dairy and non-dairy products.
• Continually investigate new ingredients, technologies, and equipment for producing, safe, high quality food products more cost efficiently
• Organize and execute customer presentations and trade shows. Be on site as needed to explain usage and show examples of product, applications, and capabilities
• Proactively monitors research and market trends, participating in relevant industry and research forums and develop new applications/concepts for use of Ornua cheese.
• Maintain lab records on formulas, ingredients and follow standard operating procedures for department and new product developments.
• Lead the development and commercialization stages of the New Product Development (NPD) process, ensuring innovative new products will make our portfolio while bringing competitive advantages.

Travel requirements:

• Up to 25% travel to other OINA locations, customer sites and industry events, mostly within the USA, but also including international travel.

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