Job Purpose

Research Scientist is responsible for providing Technical leadership for Stratas within assigned application category, including product development, application testing, competitive assessment, technical training, ongoing evaluation of emerging technologies and technical customer support.  Key responsibilities including interfacing with cross functional counterparts including Marketing, Sales and Operations to deliver against business objectives through new product development initiatives.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1.       Product Development – Independently drives all aspects of new product development projects from concept through commercialization including timeline development, design and execution of technical pathway, and interpretation of results while achieving all timing and success criteria.  Identifies and effectively leverages necessary resources.  Provides strong technical leadership by pro-actively identifying potential technical hurdles and providing solid recommendations to overcome.  Maintains accurate, complete, and accessible records.

2.       Technical Platforms – Networks with key associations and keeps abreast of emerging technologies that could be leveraged to provide a competitive advantage.  Pro-actively brings innovative ideas for new product opportunities and provides solid technical recommendations on potential new product platforms.

3.       Product Evaluation – Provides technical assessment of competitive product.  Clearly articulates data-based observations from a technical/functional perspective.  Identifies gaps and areas of opportunity for new product development/product improvements/cost savings.

4.       Product Specifications – Maintains product formulations, specifications and product profiles.  Qualifies new raw materials and raw material suppliers.

5.       Technical Training – Develops and executes technical training programs to build internal capability.

6.       Technical Customer Support – Supports Sales and Customer Service through product recommendations, trouble shooting, and complaint resolution.  Assists in building relationships with key accounts to sustain and grow volume and income including customer visits to demonstrate technical capabilities.

7.       Complaint Resolution – Provides support to QA in confirming and identification of root cause/corrective actions for application related complaints.

Education:  Minimum BS Degree in Food Service, MS preferred

Experience:  5 – 10 years Food Technical experience i.e. Product Development and/or QA and/or Operations.

·         Expertise in Fats & Oils industry a strong plus

·         Strong diverse background in experimental procedure/technique

·         Strong knowledge of food ingredient functionality

·         Bakery and/or fry application knowledge a strong plus

Equipment/Software:  Computer Skills, Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook