Senior Food Scientist

At JBSS our journey has been marked by continuous expansion and diversification of our snack portfolio, coupled with strategic investments in innovative snack, nut, and cereal bar solutions. We invite you to be a part of our exciting growth trajectory and lend your support to our burgeoning Bar business. Join us and be a part of the new and exhilarating developments at JBSS.

Summary of the Position:

The Sr. Food Scientist for Bars is responsible for hands-on, day-to-day technical project management, new product development, product emulation, product optimization, cost optimization as well as business continuity activities across all JBSS business channels and all JBSS bar types. The person in this role provides technical leadership and ownership in developing private label innovative products in the bars category. The Sr. Food Scientist may also assist with fulfilling the numerous sample requests that R&D receives, leading various projects from benchtop to execution and managing customer relationships.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Project Management: Lead projects involving setting up team meetings, collaborating cross-functionally to determine risks and mitigation plans. Work with engineering, packaging, and operations teams to start-up a line, determine formula and process to deliver consumer-driven new products.

Collaboration: Work with internal (marketing/sales) and external customers on new item and sample requests – to ensure objectives are being addressed clearly, efficiently, and on time.

Innovation: Creatively leverage external suppliers for necessary new raw materials, flavors, and resources such as sensory evaluation.

Product Development: Work with internal resources (R&D team, production, accounting, procurement, etc.) to develop innovative, PL versions of current market leaders and on-trend formulas that are compatible with JBSS capabilities.

Production Integration: Work with schedulers, supervisors, operators, packaging, QA, etc. to scale-up and commercialize products.

Documentation: Document raw material and finished good specifications and integration into JBSS systems.

Technical Services Collaboration: Collaborate with technical services on allergen, Kosher, labeling, specification, and claims issues.

Process Documentation: Document JBSS processes and procedures. Update and maintain R&D records.

Cost Optimization: Collaborate with Procurement and Production on cost optimization projects.

Candidate Qualifications:

Education, Experience, and Knowledge:

Bachelor’s degree in food science/technology or food / chemical engineering is required. MS or Ph.D. in science or engineering would be preferred.

Five plus years of experience in the food industry working in R&D and/or product development is needed.

Bars experience is required. Private label experience is preferred.

Proven track record of technical innovation, technical skills, product development with food products required.

Experience in consumer-driven product development experience is highly desired.

Experience in defining project scope, influencing and leadership skills are required.

Experience with Product Vision software is desirable.

Skills and Competencies:

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications required.

Excellent communication and cross-functional teamwork skills are necessary.

Project management skills are needed.

Able to maintain work area neat and organized.

Able to navigate through ambiguity.

Demonstrates learning agility & a growth mindset.

JBSS is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.