Senior Scientist

ABOUT GOLDEN STATE FOODS

Golden State Foods is a distinguished leader in the food service industry, offering an extensive array of products and services to a diverse clientele. Rooted in the values of quality service and integrity, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where employees can advance, innovate, and contribute to our ongoing success.

The role will adhere to best-in-class methods and practices associated with new product development and scale up to drive process effectiveness and product quality. Additionally, the role will help identify development opportunities and work collectively with the R&D Managers to develop the team’s technical acumen (including mentoring and coaching). The role will also assist in formulating and administering the division’s short- and long-range goals and objectives for business growth.

• Works in concert with Sales/Culinary/Customer to facilitate the development of new products or the duplication of target products to meet customer needs and to ensure compliance with established quality standards.
• Effectively leads new projects from the team’s initiation through commercialization. This work could include creating and maintaining timelines, managing stakeholders, formulating, scale-up, finished product testing, and specification validation. Provides technical support to manufacturing sites for product batching and processing.
• Responsible for development of processing procedures for new products and revisions to existing products as needed. Provides on-site and off-site support of scale-ups tests, first productions and quality assurance practices of the developed product through the commercialization process and identify areas for improvement to facilitate department operations. Can include Customers on-site support of productions.
• Communicates outside business customer's requirements to various departments within GSF, such as PD, QA, and Manufacturing. Also, meets with customers to understand and verify their expectations, as needed. Acts as technical expert (SME) and liaison between customer and internal cross-functional groups
• Supports the Assured Supply program in vetting new/alternative materials and suppliers for raw materials in compliance with established quality assurance standards.
• Independently works to provide bench, lab, and Pilot Plant related work activities to support product/process improvements, continuity of supply, and cost improvements.
• Maintains laboratory, including upkeep of equipment, stocking of supplies and general cleaning of work areas.
• Develops specifications for new products based on theoretical and analytical testing that yield sustained results.
• Coordinates the presentation of new concepts and plays an integral role with the Sales team in executing the Customer Formula Selection Process. This includes presenting samples to the appropriate stakeholders for evaluation and following up with the appropriate GSF associates.
• Responsible for developing sensory profile for new products. Assists with preparation for and execution of difference and preference tests (9-point scale, triangle test, duo-trio test, JAR scale, etc.).
• Identifies development opportunities and works collectively with the PD. Managers to develop the team’s technical acumen (including mentoring and coaching). Provides timely technical advice and oversight to junior PD members.
• Studies methods to improve quality of food such as flavor, color, texture, nutritional value and convenience in support of strategic objectives.
• Supports the development of processes and tools with the help of PD Managers based on a Continuous Improvement mindset. Among many things, this aspect could include the development of Standard Operating Practices (SOPs), utilizing Lean and Six Sigma principles, and training others.
• Supports the development and execution of technical strategy. Advises Managers on technical barriers and opportunities. Provides ideas on potential solutions.
• Supports training for new technologists, demonstrating lab safety, procedures and techniques.
• Performs other related and assigned duties, as necessary.
• Up to 25% travel