Product Development Scientist II

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Location:

Buffalo, NY, US, 14213

Segment:
Research & Development

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 II to join our growing R&D Team. In this role, you will be responsible for new product development, product maintenance and product improvement for our toppings, creams and culinary solutions (TCCS) category.

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.

You will successfully partner with others cross‑functionally.

This role is based in Buffalo, NY, with expected travel of up to 25%.

• Prepare prototype and line extension products using research lab, pilot lab, manufacturing facilities and equipment, as required. Typical project assignments involve small product line extensions and iterative new products (e.g. modifying a customized product formula to create a new product).
• Plan, organize and complete projects of modest scope or as a segment of a larger project. Select and/or develop appropriate methods for conducting projects and assist in designing experiments.
• Interface frequently with various internal departments (i.e. Marketing, Purchasing, Engineering) and customers in accomplishing project milestones.
• Select and evaluate raw materials for experiments.
• Set up, operate and maintain research lab equipment.
• Work with outside labs, universities, ingredient suppliers and lab equipment vendors as needed by project activity.
• Design and conduct complex shelf life and storage studies, including product and package performance under various conditions and make recommendations for appropriate adjustments in product and/or package as required.
• Design and conduct storage studies, including product and package performance under various conditions.
• Perform complex measurements and statistical analysis.

• Present results of complex experiments and recommendations to various groups, both internally and externally.
• Order materials for producing and evaluating complex prototypes.
• Develop solutions to a variety of technical problems of moderate scope and complexity by applying extensive technical knowledge and experience.

• Maintain accurate, up to date records, laboratory notebooks and computer database.
• Prepare and document all plant validation trials according to department protocol.
• Ensure the work environment is sanitary, safe, and orderly.
• Maintain a sanitary, safe and orderly work environment.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Engineering or related field with 2+ years product development related experience in food preparation/food industry; M.S. in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field.
• Experience developing ambient icings, fillings, glazes, emulsions, dairy, UHT products highly preferred.
• Experience in applying advanced mathematics (i.e. statistics) and their practical application…