Product Development and Culinary Specialist - F&B Manufacturing

Lassonde Pappas & Co. (formerly known as Summer Gardens here in Ohio), is a US Leader in beverage manufacturing dedicated to our team members, customers and consumers satisfaction. We remain committed to our small-town roots and rural values. Hardworking and caring are qualities that make our teams special. Since 1942, we've been producing delicious products for our customers across the country!

To provide the best for our customers, we focus on building the best team by creating and advancing an inclusive environment amongst our diverse work forces. If you're passionate about customer satisfaction, reliable, and committed to being and doing better, join us!

We value each of our employees' total wellbeing. To support employees in all stages of their wellness journey, we have a robust benefits program including medical, dental, and vision coverage options, growth and development potential, along with 401-K, Life & Disability Insurance, PTO, Tuition Reimbursement, Health Fairs, Gym Membership Discounts, and so much more!

POSITION SUMMARY

The position supports the R&D Department in product development and production scale up along with daily execution of R&D related lab activities. Evaluates current and alternative food ingredients, recipe culinary creation and sensory evaluation of prototypes to ensure to meet customer requirements. Participates in cross functional teams to ensure effective resolution of technical issues and promoting product innovation. Provides continual support to production and QA team.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development - Pre-Formulation

On-going research on new ingredients, applications, and processes

Thermal processing technical support for heat penetration studies for new/current product

Product Ideation and Reverse Engineering

Facilitate third - party lab analysis for validation on new and/or revised products

In-house product testing and recording for all R&D formulas

Raw Materials reviewed for brand specific specifications and process.

Maintain Serv Safe certificate for food handler

Follow GMP's for sanitary and processing requirements for producing safe quality food

Maintain all R&D equipment

Product Development - Formulation

Order and secure raw materials needed for formulation based on batch size and process

Document all imperative information on projects to include tracking recipe formulations, record cook time and temp, record average fill weight, R&D labeling and proper storage.

Product Development - Post-Formulation

Document revisions to recipe or process within project workbook

Submit approved recipe to accounting for final pricing

Notify team that product is available for internal review

Prepare samples to ship to customer or sales

Internal Tasting/Cuttings and Sensory Evaluation

Provide tastings/cuttings with new products, similar products or when issues with current products need corrected or reassessed.

Product Transferal Process

Final recipe submitted to R&D manager, accounting, and procurement

Recipe and processing entered in Vicinity with NOP submission

Pre-production meeting set with required individuals to include benchtop, initial production specs, and process steps

Accompany product for initial production run and maintains active role in first batch processing with direct communication with batch maker lead.

Production

Continual auditing of product category to ensure process/product integrity

Assist in troubleshooting areas of concern

Procurement and Quality Support

Facilitate a close working relationship between R&D, purchasing and/or vendor.

Provide guidance when sourcing a new ingredient, a replacement and/or secondary supplier.

Perform quarterly inspection (walk-through) for internal plant audits

Assist department with SOP's related to equipment implementation or revisions

Certified PCQI team member to assist, practice and maintain the Food Safety/Quality Plan

Co-Manufacturing & Co-Packer Mediator

Travel to various manufacturers to help develop new products, evaluate products, and approve initial production runs.

Assist in Co-manufacturer/Co-packer validation audits

Provide recipe guidelines, ingredient specifications and product standards

Sales

Travel and attend main food shows [FFS] for brand presentations

Support Sales in product descriptions/talking points/recipes/photos

Provide sufficient samples with mock-up labels for Sales/Customer presentation

Qualifications & Skills Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science or related field required
• Minimum 5 years' experience in food service, manufacturing and/or volume cooking
• Culinary and/or Food Science degree preferred
• Able to read recipes and use various units of food measurement (liquid &dry)
• Strong communication skills a must to be able to manage and move projects through cross-functional teams
• Computer skills with Microsoft Office applications and Vicinity is a plus
• Ability to multi-task effectively
• Organized, detailed with good follow up skills
• Regularly required to talk, hear, and see. Frequently required to sit, stand; walk; manual dexterity; and reach…