R&D Scientist

Whitehall, WI

Join our team in Whitehall, WI!

Ornua Ingredients of North America, formerly Whitehall Specialties, is a Wisconsin-based cheese product company located in the heart of the Midwestern United States. Part of Ornua Irish Dairy, our company is founded on the traditions of a wholesome belief that our employees are the main ingredient to our success. As a premier provider of imitation cheese products serving a global customer base, we are proud to craft it, slice it, shred it, cube it and dice it to their needs! We take pride in making quality cheese products for our customers. Join a team with strong values and unparalleled work ethic.

We are seeking an R&D Scientist to serve our customers. The ideal candidate is an experienced dairy science professional interested in being part of a progressive R&D team with an innovative and creative culture.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Scientist position is responsible for developing and commercializing new products and delivering customer-focused cheese innovations. The ideal candidate will have experience in standardized and non-standardized pasteurized processed cheese as well as imitation cheese products. The candidate plans and conducts assigned independent projects while collaborating closely with customers, suppliers, cross functional team members and Ornua teammates worldwide. The Scientist will lead projects focused on the development of new products, processes and/or product applications while leveraging keen project management skills to execute within established timelines.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Lead projects for new products and product re-formulations, effectively translating them from pilot plant to production floor, maintaining technical documentation and ensuring all customer requirements are met
  • Develop new product formulas and re-formulations in conjunction with FSQ partners to provide imbedded safety and quality attributes and conduct challenge studies and shelf-life studies where appropriate
  • Regularly reviews and informs of project portfolio progress and other critical to success information
  • Collaborates with Commercial team / Operations/ Engineering / FSQ / Regulatory to provide technical support to the plants as needed to ensure customer satisfaction
  • Work closely with FSQ and Regulatory to assure all formulas comply with regulatory requirements for target market and country
  • Provide technical support to Operations, Procurement and Quality to continuously optimize formulations or processes to reduce cost of goods and/or improve quality and functionality
  • Demonstrate technical curiosity by proactively researching market trends and investigating new ingredients, technologies and equipment
  • Develop and maintain technical peer-to-peer network with suppliers’ and customers
  • Work closely with customers at OINA or their facility to develop products appropriate for their application with consideration for their manufacturing lines
  • Organize and execute customer presentations and trade shows: demonstrate product, discuss usage and show examples of product, applications, and capabilities

OTHER DUTIES:

  • Demonstrate adherence to the site’s Safety and GMP practices
  • Maintain a clean and orderly work area at all times
  • Attend monthly facility safety training
  • Assist with appropriate Risk Assessments upon request
  • Assist with appropriate Accident/Incident Investigations and Right-to-Refuse Investigation
  • Taste testing dairy products

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

  • B.S. degree in Food Science, Dairy, Food chemistry or related fields with 5+ years of experience
  • Experience working in Food industry – B2B product development, formulation, and commercialization of cheese/dairy/food products
  • Technical knowledge of standardized/non-standardized processed cheese or imitation cheese
  • Experience working in application lab, pilot plant systems and with laboratory instrumentation

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

  • M.S. degree in Food Science, Dairy, Food chemistry or related fields with 3+ years of experience
  • Experience or expertise working with starch systems, protein matrices and/or plant-based cheese
  • Lean Six Sigma experience/certification
  • Knowledge of State and Federal regulations on Cheese Manufacture and Production a plus
  • Culinary or culinology experience designing custom applications with custom cheese ingredients
  • Strong working knowledge of sensory science and texture analysis techniques

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES NEEDED TO PERFORM THIS JOB SUCCESSFULLY:

  • Excellent project management, experimental design, planning and organization skill
  • Experience leading and managing various steps from concept to commercialization and working in a cross-functional team environment
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced R&D environment and deliver projects based on company priorities
  • Capability to manage multiple projects and meet defined timelines
  • Able to design experiments, analyze, and interpret data and recommend next steps
  • Strong understanding of food systems, ingredients and process interactions
  • Strong analytical skills, knowledge of general analytical methodology and experience interpreting results
  • Able to communicate and work as a team with various internal and external customers
  • Good organization agility, basic business/finance acumen and strong presentation skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills: technical report writing & preparing presentations
  • Strong computer skills – experience with Excel and other MS Office tools
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and analytical thinking ability
  • Knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points application in food plant
  • Mentor and provide technical leadership to junior team members – technicians and technologists

BENEFITS

  • Health, Dental and Vision benefits are available on your first day of employment!
  • 4 Major Medical Plans to choose from
  • FSA (Flex Spending Account), HSA (Health Savings Account) available
  • Company provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability
  • 80 hours of Vacation Time, Paid sick time, Paid Holidays
  • 401k with up to 4% company match
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Company provided Uniforms, Safety Glasses and Safety Shoes
Based upon qualifications

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