Senior Product Developer - Bakery

Generations of Richmond families have trusted the Ukrop's name for fresh, wholesome foods, ready-to-heat meals, baked goods, cookies, cakes, and more. Our company produces a variety of freshly-prepared foods and premium baked goods for retail stores throughout the Richmond region, the Commonwealth of Virginia, other Mid-Atlantic states and beyond.

We're proud that our products encourage families to gather around the table and are always looking for passionate and qualified associates. As an associate, of Ukrop's Homestyle Foods (UHF), you may have a profound influence on those around you, those who supply and/or make purchases from our company, and those who enjoy our fresh and delicious products.

Position Summary:

Senior Product Developer - Bakery is responsible for the creation of new or modification of existing formulas for the Ukrop's Homestyle Foods' (UHF) Bakery. This position also leads the technical developing and scaling up of bakery products with additional focus on innovation and quality assurance to support customers' needs and overall company growth.

Essential Duties:

• Creates new and modifies existing recipes and formulas to meet customer requests and new product development strategies for UHF.
• Supports the creation of new development strategies for UHF bakery.
• Generates gold standard recipe documentation and maintains detailed information regarding changes. Organizes formulas and solutions for assigned projects and products and maintains database of ideas.
• Demonstrates curiosity to research and excitement about trying new techniques, ingredients, products.
• Demonstrates curiosity to research and excitement to try new techniques, ingredients, products.
• Collaborates with production to scale up new products and implement process changes. Serves as product development lead with plant trials of new products, processes and equipment testing to ensure that the end results are products that meet UHF quality standards.
• Collaborates and communicates effectively with leadership resulting in open and inclusive dialogue.
• Supports manufacturing and quality assurance in troubleshooting of products, during and after production, and any process issues that arise for new and existing products.
• Provides training for production and plant associates (as needed or requested) on new or existing products.
• Fosters the growth and training of junior associates in product development, quality, sensory and other development-related competencies.
• Works with procurement to source and specify new ingredients and packaging. Collaborates with procurement team and suppliers to resolve raw material/packaging issues. Works with production to facilitate new raw material/packaging testing and evaluations.
• Evaluates concept cost and operational parameters to deliver feasible product solutions and to maximize the effective manufacturing and distribution of products.
• Provides prototype bench samples to be utilized by sales for customers.
• Manages multiple projects at once while prioritizing work and using time and resources efficiently.
• Develops and communicates project timelines and works accordingly to meet them.
• Participates in corporate and community events as needed.
• Supports GFSI and FSMA. Assists in ensuring that the SQF system is in place and that we are in compliance with all aspects of HACCP plan, SSOPs, and GMPs throughout the plant. Reports all food safety issues to an immediate supervisor.
• Supports an accident free work culture. When developing, or modifying production processes, assists in accident prevention and risk identification. Collaborates with Safety Manager to minimize risk exposure from ingredient, equipment, or ergonomics.
• Performs other duties as needed or requested.

Minimum Physical Requirements:

The physical demands of the position frequently include working in a various environment, to include a test kitchen, bakery production plant and general office settings. Standing and/or walking for a minimum of four hours at a time, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, and lifting up to 50 pounds; occasional ladder use and exposure to extreme variations in temperature caused by equipment, to include ovens and freezers.

Education and Experience:

• B.S. in Food Science, Culinary Arts, or related field.
• Minimum five to ten (5-10) years of experience in Product Development or bakery technology within a food manufacturing environment required.
• Minimum five to ten (5-10) years of experience working in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel is required.

Benefits:

As a full-time associate with Ukrop's Homestyle Foods you will be offered the following:

• Affordable healthcare upon eligibility
• Company-sponsored Life Insurance
• Short Term/Long Term Disability
• Company 401(k) upon eligibility
• Paid Time Off
• Birthday PTO
• Associate Referral Bonus
• Shift Differential on eligible shifts
• Competitive Salary
• and more

Ukrop's is an Equal Opportunity Employer