Food Scientist

Flagstone Foods:

At Flagstone Foods, we believe appreciation grows goodness. We have an appreciation for our customers, our employees, and the communities in which we live. Appreciation is our main ingredient! 

Headquartered in the North Loop of Minneapolis with plants in Robersonville, North Carolina, El Paso, Texas, and Dothan, Alabama, we are one of North America’s largest manufacturers and distributors of “feel good snacks,” like flavorful snack nuts, innovative trail mixes and wholesome dried fruits…and we are adding to our team! We hire creative, thoughtful, and entrepreneurial team members. If you share our enthusiasm and appreciation for goodness, you too may find a home with Flagstone Foods. 

POSITION: Food Scientist

REPORTS TO:   Manager, Research & Development

Position Summary

The Food Scientist is responsible for designing new products, product maintenance, product cost reduction and product improvements. The position will apply scientific and culinary principles in research and development.  A successful candidate is an accomplished food scientist with technical and business insight that drives projects from concept through commercialization. This includes new products, reformulations, cost reductions and customer bids.

Essential Functions

• Under limited supervision, works collaboratively in the execution of development from bench to production scale for new products, product improvements and cost savings projects. 
• Defines the formulation, nutritional and process parameters needed to develop a product which meets the project objective(s).   Understands the impact of these parameters to overall project.
• Applies sound scientific methods in all stages of development. Including planning and executing trials, analyzing data, and defining solutions to achieve project goals. 
• Identifies opportunities for competitive market advantage.
• Provide judgement and experience to ensure that an appropriate level of technical knowledge and discipline are being applied and utilized in business decisions.
• Partner and communicate effectively with cross-functional groups: Marketing, Sales, QA, Procurement, Finance, Operations and Engineering. 
• Ensure the transfer of technology to the operations team when commercializing products. Provide technical oversight of internal and external manufacturing start-ups and ongoing technical service.
• Contribute significantly and continually to attain results through the generation and application of advanced, specialized knowledge.
• Generate and support pipeline work to drive cost optimization through formulation and processing efficiencies.
• Participate in customer presentations and/or preparing product content for customer meetings.
• Ensure all activities follow established safety standards, regulatory requirements (FDA, UDSA & Kosher) and Good Manufacturing Procedures (GMP).
• Travel up to 25% to manufacturing facilities and/or customer meetings.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications (Education/Experience)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or related field.
• Three years’ experience in Food Science Product Development. 
• Understanding of ingredient interactions/functionality.
• Communicate effectively and openly while working in a cross-functional team.
• Must be a self-starter, independent, energetic, and resourceful 
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Solid Project Management skills and experience.
• Aptitude for technical leadership and project management.
• Experience with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
• Strong computer and documentation skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Physical Requirements 

The physical demands described within the Essential Functions section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job. Other duties or tasks may be assigned as required. Management may modify, change, or add to the duties of this description at any time without notice. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Communicate with others both verbally and in writing.
• Be independently mobile.
• Use a computer and keyboard.

Supervises - No

FLSA Designation: This position is a Salaried Exempt and not eligible for overtime.

Work Location: Minneapolis, MN – travel expected 10-25%

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.