R&D Technologist

HiFyve has a client in Fort Morgan, CO that is hiring for a R&D Technologist.

• $75K-$115K + 5% Bonus
• 25% - 50% Travel Required
• FULL BLOWN relocation package offered!

General Purpose:

Reporting to the Plant Manager, the R&D Technologist will lead process-related initiatives to enhance manufacturing plant operations. This role involves optimizing and innovating products and processes, overseeing the commercialization of new products, and maintaining existing ones. Additionally, the R&D Technologist will provide technical support to cross-functional teams engaged in strategic capital projects and offer assistance to other plants based on priority.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement process improvement initiatives focused on cheese and concentrate making and associated processes, emphasizing product quality, formulation management, and loss reduction.
• Foster collaborative relationships with R&D scientists, understanding production processes, and identifying potential issues in early development stages.
• Scale-up line extension products, such as process modifications, alternate packaging, and enhanced functional properties.
• Oversee the production runs of new products and processes handed off by R&D, developing written instructions for scale-up trials to be transferred to operations teams.
• Finalize product documentation, including specifications.
• Assist in asset evaluation and mass balance verification for strategic projects.
• Validate new equipment/processes during installation and commissioning.
• Maintain products and processes, including secondary ingredient supplier validation.
• Identify rework opportunities, acceptable usage levels, and validate alternate ingredients.
• Implement cost savings related to process, materials, and packaging.
• Implement and identify yield improvements.
• Commission alternate asset utilization.
• Utilize analytical skills to collect and analyze data from multiple sources.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability with scheduling and travel when working on multiple projects.
• Provide routine verbal and written updates on project and initiative statuses.
• Actively promote safe work behaviors and adhere to safety rules and regulations.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree (B.S./B.A.) in Food Science or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in dairy product manufacturing, with emphasis on cheese making, HTST systems, and fermentations.
• Training or experience with continuous improvement fundamentals.
• Certification and/or License N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• In-depth understanding of food chemistry, microbiology, and dairy processing.
• Comprehensive knowledge of plant operations and manufacturing processes, including Cheese Making, Fermentation, and Dry Blending systems.
• Ability to use Data Capture Programs to enhance various manufacturing processes.
• Proficient use of Data-Based systems to drive Continuous Improvement through various Manufacturing Systems.
• Familiarity with laboratory methods and a full understanding of process and formulation in terms of food safety.
• Effective utilization of laboratory and pilot plant scale equipment.

If you are interested, please apply!