ASSOCIATE SCIENTIST - Product Development

Are you a self-driven person looking to advance your career as a high-impact player on a team? If so, we have an exciting challenge for you and your future!

At HP Hood, we celebrate our differences. Our diversity of people, backgrounds, experiences, thoughts and perspectives are fostered to create an inclusive work environment. We are at our best when we respect and value each other - One Team, One Company!

Our culture is built on value commitments to innovation, quality, results, integrity, community, people, and collaboration that fosters a strong employee engagement, teamwork, safety and wellness.

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, wellness programs, employee discounts, 401k matches, tuition reimbursement, ongoing development, advancement opportunities and more. This position is also eligible for our bonus program.

Founded in 1846, today HP Hood is one of the largest and most trusted food and beverage manufacturers in the United States. Our portfolio of national and super-regional brands and licensed products includes Hood, Heluva Good, Lactaid, Blue Diamond Almond Breeze, Planet Oat, Hershey's Milk & Milkshakes and more.

Job Summary:

Participate in the development of new products, cost savings, and quality improvements for branded, licensed, and private label fluid, cultured, and/or frozen products.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
• Participate in the development, optimization, and commercialization of dairy and non-dairy products.
• Follow technical plan to achieve project charter objectives (cost, quality, and time).
• Capability to apply sound statistical methods such as design of experiments as part of the product development process and ability to analyze data to make well-informed decisions.
• Help incorporate market research insights to create dairy and non-dairy products that delight consumers.
• Evaluate competitive products to insure prototypes are comparable or better.
• Select raw materials and provide technical data required for desired nutrition facts and ingredient statements.
• Help create cost formulas that meet business unit requirements.
• Participate in the creation of batching procedures and process flow diagrams that will successfully scale up in manufacturing facilities.
• Participate in pilot plant development, production trials, and commercialization.
• Help create specifications that achieve consistent finished product quality.
• Record test procedures and observations.
• Participate in product evaluations and interpret shelf life results.
• Help coordinate technical input and implement recommendations.
• Participate in development of technical risks and implement contingency plans.
• Communicate project results with project leaders.
• Document research processes.
• Up to 15%-20% travel.

Education and Experience:

• BS in Food Science (or comparable field of expertise).
• MS/PhD in Food Science (or comparable field of expertise) highly desired.
• 0-3 years relevant project leadership experience.

Skills and Competencies:

• Solid technical knowledge of fluid, cultured, or frozen products preferred.
• Problem solver, provide solutions to problems by applying knowledge and experience.
• Competent, results oriented project leader with ability to leverage consumer insights and technical capabilities to commercialize new products, cost savings, and quality improvements.
• Familiar with internal/external customer's business needs and searches for ways to increase customer satisfaction.
• Very good interpersonal communication skills to network, develop trust, and build relationships with technical teammates and business partners.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects and changing priorities.

HP Hood is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Female/Minority/Veteran/Disabled

"VERVRAA Federal Contractor"