What are the responsibilities and job description for the Scientist II position at Hostess Brands, Inc.?
Company Overview
Hostess Brands, LLC, is a large packaged food company focused on developing, manufacturing, marketing, selling and distributing fresh baked sweet goods in the United States such as Ding Dongs®, Ho Hos®, Donettes® and Fruit Pies, in addition to Twinkies®, CupCakes, Voortman’s Cookies and Wafers.
Job Overview
This individual is responsible to support Hostess Brands’ organization in the area of Research & Development for new product development. The Associate Scientist will manage and support multiple projects of various degrees of difficulty. Duties include responsibility for planning and conducting tests, analyzing and evaluating the data, and formulating conclusions to accomplish department goals. This position will play a key role in leading product development efforts across the Hostess Brands Operations network
Responsibilities
- Food product development for sweet baked goods from idea/ concept stage through launch
- Be R&D lead on cross functional team responsible for product design withing timelines and financial targets.
- Utilize principles of moisture management to design great-tasting foods with desired finished product shelf-life.
- Communicate technical feasibility on product concepts effectively to cross functional team of Marketing, Quality, Regulatory, and Supply Chain.
- Develop and design new and improved products in accordance with the company’s innovation strategy and stage-gate process.
- Analyze consumer testing and sensory data to draw conclusions and communicate results.
- Develop and implement technologies and support both new product and ingredient development
- Identify areas of opportunity in raw materials and or product design for cost optimization
- Coordinate all documentation that support final product formulation
- Generate and maintain accurate and complete records including official lab notebook and utilization of on-line specification system
- Develop ideas, data and write invention disclosure record.
- Perform additional R&D duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- 5 years’ experience in the food industry working in R&D and/or product development.
- Experience with fried donuts, grain-based sweet cakes a plus.
- Products development experience in both Upstream/Front End and Product Development/ Qualification/Launch
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications required.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional teamwork skills are a must.
- Able to maintain work area neat and organized.
- Strong ability to identify potential product /packaging quality opportunities.
- Good time management and multitasking skills
- Excellent leader, communicator, and trainer
- Ability to influence and lead people and decisions in situations absent of a direct reporting structure
- Ability and willingness to take action
- Excellent problem solving and trouble shooting skills
- Willingness to accept up to 40% travel
Education:
- This position requires a BS in Food Science, Bakery Science or a BS, MS in Engineering (e.g., Chemical, Biochemical, Food, etc.)