What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Development Scientist position at Apex Systems?
Role: Product Development Scientist - Deli Products
Type: 1yr Contract
Rate: Up to $47/hr
Location: Downtown Cincinnati, OH (Hybrid Onsite M-TH)
Position Summary: Design and develop product attributes and characteristics specifically for deli products, including complex and/or highly formulated and/or processed categories. Provide depth of knowledge in deli food technology regarding product technical services, product development, and assist in product quality maintenance.
Job Functions:
- Manage multiple deli product projects for various customers effectively and simultaneously.
- Work closely with third-party vendors, culinary specialists, and internal brand and innovation teams to ensure product quality and regulatory compliance for manufactured, procured, and fresh deli products; lead quality issues to resolution; work with recall coordinator as needed.
- Prepare and maintain material specification documents for deli products.
- Review product label proofs to ensure compliance with all labeling and claim regulations specific to deli products.
- Audit deli products for quality and manage audit follow-up projects to improve quality.
- For internal facilities, audit plant batching operations and analyze consumer comments related to deli products.
- Work with Sensory Manager to organize and coordinate consumer panels for deli products.
- Direct activities of lab technical staff as needed.
- Follow regulatory and technological changes that may affect the deli food industry.
- Perform pilot plant development work and conduct plant trials of new deli products and processes.
- Coordinate activities and projects with both internal manufacturing plants and external contracted manufacturers, focusing on deli products.
- Support assessment and provide technical services solutions including cost optimization projects such as the development and reformulation of deli products while maintaining and/or improving product quality, improving new and existing processes, and resolving equipment or other operational issues to improve quality, evaluating consumer comments, and efficiencies.
- Assist in evaluating and recommending new processes, programs, equipment, and technologies appropriate to manufacturing, distribution, quality assurance, or retailing of deli products.
- Travel 15% to manufacturing plants, suppliers, and other locations to execute essential job duties related to deli products.
- Follow established programs, policies, and practices to produce safe, quality deli foods that meet regulatory and company requirements.
- Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in food science, dairy science, bakery science, or related scientific field.
- Demonstrated excellence in project planning, problem-solving, and execution.
- Experience with deli food categories.
- 4 years’ experience in product development, project management, or quality assurance, specifically in deli products.
Desired Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in food science, dairy science, bakery science, or related scientific field.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, Teams.
- Excellent oral/written communication skills.
- Proven project leadership skills.
Salary : $40 - $47
