Heartland Food Products Group is a global leader in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, producing low-calorie sweeteners, coffee, coffee creamers and liquid water enhancers. We manufacture and market Splenda, the #1 brand in the low calorie sweetener category and the most recognized in the world.

We make coffee, tea and water taste better and help people live happier, healthier and longer lives by making it easy to reduce sugar.

Scope:

The Sr. Food Scientist, Research and Development will lead and drive product innovation projects, product renovation projects, and alternate material projects for the company. Key categories will includes but not limited to non-nutritive sweeteners, protein aseptic beverages, creamers, liquid water enhancers, liquid concentrates, tea beverages, coffee products and flavored drinks. The duties in this position are expected to evolve over time as a result of the company’s growth and expansion into new technologies.

Essential Duties and Key Responsibilities:

• Leads product development projects (innovation, renovation, alternate materials) from concept to commercialization.
• Provides leadership to the organization in the areas of food science and R&D.
• Designs new products based on targeted flavor profile, texture, color, shelf life and nutritional content while maintaining adherence to government and industry standards.
• Creates nutrition labels and ingredient lists using nutrition labeling software and understanding of government regulations.
• Develops specifications for finished products with physical, chemical, and sensory properties.
• Develops batching instructions for pilot plant and operations.
• Generates and optimizes costs of formulations in collaboration with procurement and finance.
• Collaborates with ingredient vendors to obtain best product results, costing and supply.
• Leads pilot and commercial scale up trials and monitors first three commercial productions.
• Regularly collaborates with Operations and advises solutions for production issues.
• Maintains and organizes physical and electronic formulation records.
• Support logistics on the verification of ingredients in inventory for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
• Collaborative and works well in a team environment, offering support and assistance when needed.
• Highly motivated and able to work independently.
• Effective in a high paced environment with the ability to multitask and support multiple initiatives.
• Assures all activities follow Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and all required Company policies and procedures.
• Follows GMP’s, maintains sanitary conditions, adheres to safe work practices and ensures that product quality is maintained.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related disciplines required. Master Degree or Ph.D. preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of food industry product development experience.
• Experience leading product development projects from concept to commercialization.
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and drive the opportunity to completion
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Comfortable working cross functionally and leading project teams
• Excellent organizational and communication (oral and written) skills, proficiency in speaking, comprehending, reading and writing English required.
• Excellent mathematical skills and knowledge of, or ability to learn, statistical analysis required.
• Computer literacy including competency with Microsoft Office and demonstrated ability to operate complex software programs required.
• Working knowledge of government regulations and rules of certification bodies such as Kosher, Halal, Organic, and others as applicable to business.
• Able to multitask, work alone with light supervision and in a team environment.
• Enjoys working in laboratory and pilot plant.
• Fast learner, flexible and willing to help where needed.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to physically perform the functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions
• Must be able to work seated using a computer and phone for long periods of time.
• Must be able to work extended hours, such as daily overtime and an occasional weekend
• Must possess visual acuity to document company records
• Continuous walking throughout plant and distribution center.
• Lifting up to 40 pounds