Join this dynamic team focused on delivering better nutrition for every step of life’s journey
The Opportunity
We are seeking a skilled and experienced Food Technologist to join our team in a pivotal mid-level role. In this position, you will independently and collaboratively drive the development of powders, tablets, capsules, ready-to-drink, and ready-to-eat products from initial concept through to successful execution.
The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record of bringing new concepts to market, with particular expertise in formulating powdered beverages. You will need to manage multiple projects efficiently, demonstrating strong critical thinking, organizational, and communication skills.
Our organization values trust, honesty, integrity, and equity, and we expect all team members to uphold these principles in their work.
Please Note: This lab-based role involves exposure to all food allergens (milk, soy, nuts, peanuts, wheat, egg, etc.) and includes tasting a variety of product types. If you are driven by innovation and ready to contribute to our success, we encourage you to apply. This permanent position will report to the Senior Food Technologist.
- Formulate and develop food and supplement products, including powdered and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, ready-to-eat (RTE) items, capsules, and tablets.
- Innovate and create prototypes by experimenting with diverse formulations and flavor profiles. Transform initial concepts into products that excel in taste, functionality, and quality.
- Reformulate products to maintain compliance and meet customer expectations, ensuring our products lead in quality and regulatory adherence.
- Organize sensory panels and conduct rigorous product testing to ensure we deliver a great tasting product meeting Sensory Action Standard.
- Assess and validate ingredient options and vendors to ensure they meet our quality and regulatory standards. Build strong relationships with key suppliers to secure raw materials for our products.
- Input raw material specifications and formulas into product development software.
- Estimate preliminary product costs, considering every aspect from ingredient sourcing to manufacturing.
- Develop precise nutritional and supplement facts panels, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and standards.
- Oversee pilot and scale-up manufacturing runs. Manage the transition from lab-scale experiments to full-scale production, resolving any issues promptly to guarantee consistent, high-quality outcomes.
- Uphold and enforce rigorous safety procedures and protocols throughout the development process. Set the standard for safety and compliance, ensuring a secure and efficient working environment for the team.
- Direct and execute comprehensive analytical testing of raw materials and factory trials.
- Validate that all formulations meet performance and stability criteria, ensuring the highest product quality.
- Provide guidance and mentorship to junior team members as required.
- Potentially oversee one to two direct reports: Collaborate with the line manager to establish SMART goals for direct reports, aligning them with key company initiatives.
- Accurately document all aspects of the formulation process, including variables tested, results obtained, and product stability. Enter detailed information into lab notebooks and the Formula Management System to maintain a comprehensive record of product development activities.
- Produce formula cost information; work with purchasing, finance, and sales teams to help establish final product pricing; initiate new item documents and set-up for all product introductions.
- Lead and guide discussions across various departments, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability during brainstorming and troubleshooting sessions. Foster a culture that emphasizes solution-focused problem-solving.
- Work closely with the Regulatory team to generate compliant Supplement/Nutrition Facts panels and ingredient listings for product packaging and artwork. Ensure accuracy through meticulous proofreading.
- Provide expert advice on and review raw material specifications to ensure they meet required standards and specifications.
- Provide leadership within a team environment, encouraging collaboration, innovation, and effective communication among team members.
- Actively contribute to innovation, troubleshooting, and brainstorming sessions within the team. Bring forward new ideas and solutions to enhance product development and processes.
- Identify and overcome barriers to successful innovation by developing and maintaining strong relationships with key departments, including customers, manufacturing, supply chain, accounting, quality, and purchasing teams.
- Gain a deep understanding of customer needs, business requirements, and overall business strategy to ensure alignment and successful project outcomes.
The Skills you will bring to the team
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience: Bachelors of Science degree in Food Science or related field or equivalent experience.
- 5-8 years of relevant experience working in the food, beverage, or dietary supplement industry; prior development and knowledge of dietary supplements is an advantage.
- Expertise in Product Development: Proven in-depth knowledge developing powders and at least one of the following formats is a must; Bars/RTE, Tabs/Caps and/or RTDs.
- Powder experience taking products from bench through first production with a basic understanding of one or more of the following blending techniques; Ribbon, Paddle, and V blending.
- Additional experience with Ready-to-Drink (RTD) or Ready-to-Eat (RTE) products, with proficiency in one or more processing methods such as HTST, UHT, Retort, Tunnel Pasteurization, Extruded, Slabbed, or Deposited Foods.
- Flavor Systems: Deep knowledge of flavor systems is essential. You must be adept at troubleshooting and resolving flavor-related challenges with ease.
- Lab and Production Processes: Thorough understanding of daily lab and production processes. Expertise in raw material handling and stability is required. SAP experience is preferred.
If you think you have what it takes, but don't necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please apply!
Where and how you will work
The opportunity will be based in Downers Grove, IL.
What we would like to offer you!
The opportunity to develop your career on a global stage, continuous learning through an on-demand learning platform, and a competitive compensation package including staff discounts, generous family leave policy, health & dental plan, competitive salary, 401K.
About Glanbia
The Glanbia Group comprises three divisions: Glanbia Performance Nutrition, Glanbia Nutritional's, and Joint Ventures. Collectively and with our partners we offer an incredible breadth of expertise in nutrition. We employ a team of 6,000 people, work with global food and beverage companies, and sell our award-winning and market-leading products in 130 countries worldwide.
At Glanbia, we celebrate diversity, because we know that our individual strengths make us stronger together. We welcome and encourage interest from a variety of candidates, we will give your application consideration, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.
At Glanbia, our culture celebrates individuality, knowing that together we are more.
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