What are the responsibilities and job description for the Food Scientist position at Reser's Fine Foods?
Recipe for Success
Reser’s is the leading provider of fresh refrigerated foods for the supermarket and food service industries. Family owned and operated, Reser’s has been a proud sponsor of good times at picnics, BBQs, and affordable family meals since 1950. Reser’s family of brands include Reser’s American Classics, Main Street Bistro, Don Pancho, and more. Reser’s operates facilities in the US, Mexico and actively supports the communities it serves.
Benefits and Culture
We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to help employees live a healthier life, build rewarding careers and save for the future. Reser’s offers choices whenever possible, because we recognize the diverse and ever-changing needs of our employees. Full-time employee benefits include medical, dental, vision, AD&D, life, 401(k) with discretionary match, wellness programs, paid time off, company paid holidays and a variety of voluntary benefit options.
We strive to be Employer of Choice. As one of our five cornerstones, this means that we go all-out to create an environment that shows we are committed to investing in employee growth and creating a culture of belonging where employees what to build a lasting career.
Visit our website to learn more about our competitive benefit programs – https://resers.com/careers/#benefits
Reser’s Fine Foods – Job Description
Title: Food Scientist
Location: Corporate, Beaverton, OR
Job Summary:
The Food Scientist is responsible for conducting food product tests to assist in developing or improving methods to produce, preserve, and package food products and meet safety and quality standards.
Essential Position Functions:
• Develop and recommend new and improved methods for food processing, production, quality control, preservation, packaging based on scientific expertise.
• Evaluate methods to improve quality of foods, such as flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, or physical, chemical, and microbiological composition of foods.
• Use technical and manufacturing insights to recommend formulations and processes to deliver on consumer expectations, food safety, cost, and quality requirements.
• Support the development and commercialization of product formulas, processing procedures and raw material specifications that support business objectives.
• Research new products in the development of foods.
• Confer with cross-functional team members to identify and/or resolve issues.
• Conduct standardized tests on food products to ensure compliance with standards and regulations.
• Design and conduct experiments (including shelf-life), then compile results for evaluation or recommendations.
• Collaboration with Production, Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory, and other department staff to design, schedule and execute testing and trials.
• Inspect raw ingredients to advise on maturity and stability for processing.
• Data management for food labeling system (Gensis) to ensure accuracy of ingredient and nutritional information on all formulas.
• Work cross functionally to deliver projects on time, in budget and with high quality.
• Performs special projects and other related duties, as assigned.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field and 3-5 years of food science experience is required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Requires knowledge of food and safety regulations.
• Technical skills in product formulation, industrial processes, and ingredient functionality.
• Knowledge of the product development process.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office programs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk working on a computer required while in the office.
• Prolonged period of walking and/or standing.
• Must wear required safety gear such as hearing and eye protection, or gloves.
• Must wear required food safety items such as smocks, hair nets, beard nets, and waterproof boots or shoe covers.
• Requires ability to travel to various work locations by car or plane up to 25% of the time.
• Sufficient skills to read/review product labels, instructions, or job aids.
• In areas where hearing protection is required, must be able to wear appropriate hearing protection.
• The environment may be wet or dry and temperatures may range from 0°F to 110°F.
• Office, production, and warehouse environment.
• Flexible schedule may be required based on business needs.
Exempt only: This position is eligible for a bonus based on company goals/performance.
