Product Development Scientist III

Location:

Buffalo, NY, US, 14213

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family‑owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in food service, retail, in‑store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others.

Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $4 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

Rich Products, a $5.5 Billion food manufacturing company, is looking for a Product Development Scientist III to join our growing R&D Team. In this role, you will be responsible for product maintenance, support and improvement for our toppings, creams and culinary solutions (TCCS) and desserts categories.

In this role, you will collaborate with cross functional teams to ensure successful development and commercialization of new products, product improvement or cost reductions. You will conduct routine, non‑routine and complex research and development activities concerned with the chemical, biological and/or physical complexity of product formulations in order to develop new products and evaluate and improve the quality of existing products and related processes.

Work gets done through Speed to Market or standardized business processes.

You will successfully partner with others cross‑functionally.

This role is based in Buffalo, NY, with expected travel of up to 40%.

• New Product Development / Product Improvements / Cost Reductions (80%)
  • Develop protocept and prototype products using research lab, pilot lab, manufacturing facilities and equipment that meet project criteria.
  • Lead, manage, and conduct plant trials to validate formulas and processes including process capability study. Train Operations and QA personnel on critical product attributes and process controls.
  • Responsible for the development of raw materials and finished product specifications for internal and co‑packed products.
  • Provide solutions to a wide range of difficult problems by applying advanced technical knowledge and extensive experience.
  • Set up, operates and maintains pilot lab and research lab equipment.
  • Select and evaluate raw materials.
  • Design and conduct shelf life studies, including product and package performance under various conditions.
  • Work with outside labs, universities, co‑packed manufacturers, ingredient suppliers and equipment vendors as needed by project activity.
  • Manage and conduct multiple, independent and complex research and/or development projects. Define project objectives, organizing and prioritizing tasks and conducting experiments and analyses.
  • Coordinate and complete small and medium projects or manage segments of larger projects. Define project objectives, organizing and prioritizing tasks and conducting experiments and analyses.
  • Performs measurements and statistical analysis.
• Technical Support (15%)
  • Serves as subject matter expert for the corporation to help educate the corporation on company’s current and future product and process capability/versatility and provide product solutions.
  • Provide technical support to Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, and external customers in the areas of product features and benefits, product solutions, and ingredient functionality.
  • Plan and conduct presentations of new and existing products to staff and/or customers.
  • Perform related responsibilities, as needed, to support Rich Products Corporation’s business objectives.
  • Provide technical support to Operations to resolve product related production issue by identifying root cause, develop technical solutions, and implement changes including training QA/Operations personnel on findings.
• Record‑keeping (5%)
  • Document all formulas, process development and tests which have been conducted and records results of such tests according to…