Research Development Associate Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

R&D Meat Scientist

Indiana Packers Corporation (IPC) is a fully integrated retail, foodservice and private label producer of fresh and processed meats based in Delphi, Indiana. Since the start of operations in 1991, we have experienced rapid growth from a single pork processing company into a multi-plant diversified producer of fresh and processed meats, with locations throughout America's Heartland and revenues of approximately $1.5B. We are best known for our national brand Kentucky Legend (the best-selling boneless ham brand in the United States) as well as several well-known regional brands, including Indiana Kitchen, Fischer's, Field, Mickelberry's, Kentuckian Gold, and Scott Pete. We now have processing facilities in Frankfort, Indiana; Holland, Michigan; and Owensboro, Kentucky.

We value diversity, innovation, collaboration and those passionate about their jobs. We support our associates by offering a total rewards package, including competitive pay, three different medical care plans (two with company-funded health savings accounts), pharmacy, dental, and vision plans, a retirement/401K (with 50% match on team members' contributions), a competitive paid time off program, educational assistance, and numerous advancement opportunities. With more than 3,100 team members located across 14 different states, we are a big company with a small company culture.

Indiana Packers Corporation is in Delphi, Indiana, just 15 minutes away from the greater Lafayette/West Lafayette area, home of Purdue University.

Summary:

Indiana Packers Corporation is looking for a motivated, hands-on R&D Meat Scientist to lead applied research and product development across our value-added portfolio. This position translates technical and culinary concepts into scalable, commercially viable products, leads plant trials, and partners across Operations, Engineering, QA, Sales and Marketing, and Regulatory to bring products from concept through commercialization while meeting quality, food-safety, and regulatory standards.

This is an onsite position. The duty station will be near one of IPC's facilities (Delphi, IN; Holland, MI; or Owensboro, KY). Estimated travel will depend on the assigned duty station relative to the plant sites.

Responsibilities:

• Design and execute applied R&D projects focused on product quality, yield improvement, shelf-life extension, and process optimization
• Develop and optimize formulations, processes, and product specifications to meet customer, quality, regulatory, and operational requirements
• Lead plant trials and scale-up, troubleshooting processing issues such as bind, emulsion, purge, texture variability, yield, and cook loss
• Own precise documentation of formulas, specifications, protocols, and process parameters, and prepare clear technical reports
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, QA, Sales and Marketing, and Regulatory to translate business and customer needs into technical solutions
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive products to identify opportunities

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Animal Science, or related discipline; Master's or PhD preferred
• Minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on experience in meat / food product development
• Strong understanding of meat functionality (protein bind, blending, water activity, cook loss, emulsions) and processing systems
• Experience in USDA-regulated facilities; working knowledge of USDA-FSIS regulations, HACCP, food-safety management systems, and USDA labeling requirements and standards of identity
• Proven ability to translate scientific results into practical, commercial solutions, with strong documentation and communication skills
• Experience in pork processing preferred but not required
• Additional valued experience (not required): cured, smoked, and further-processed product expertise; sensory evaluation and shelf-life validation; statistical analysis, design of experiments (DOE), and data-driven decision making; and clean-label / ingredient-reduction formulation

Other Duties:

Please note, this job description is not designated to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to a variety of extreme conditions on the site including exposure to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. The noise level in the work environment can be loud and hearing protection is required. The position regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in cold, hot, and outdoor conditions that include inclement weather, heat and humidity, and exposure to dust.

Physical Demand:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Work is primarily performed in an office setting in a manufacturing environment requiring the ability to sit, talk, hear, frequent walking, standing, and sitting; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. Ability to use standard office equipment such as telephone, computer, and copier.

Background Screening/Checks:

This offer of employment is contingent upon the results of a satisfactory background check, which may include verification of employment, education, criminal background, driving history, and other relevant information deemed job‑related and lawful. You will be required to sign a separate Disclosure & Authorization Form prior to initiating the required background check(s). The extent of the background check will be determined on the function and level of the position being offered

EOE, including Disability/Veteran