Senior Food Scientist at Cargill

Position Purpose & Summary

The Senior Food Scientist will be accountable for coordinated, aligned and successful innovation through exploration, development, and implementation of value-added cooked meats in Cargill Protein Group Retail Channel.  Project work will be aligned with the business strategy and initiated and completed through the business PPM process and sponsored and approved by the business leadership. Customer focused innovation activities will focus on consumer insights, new product and technology development, new process development, customer partnership and technical sales support.  Innovation can include the entire process from ideation to commercialization or segments of the process.  The purpose of this position is to provide technical expertise and project leadership to: 1) New product development for product line growth, 2) Technology/process development for the creation of new capabilities, 3) Creation, perfection, and defense of new and existing IP, 4) Involvement in strategic plan and creation of a center of excellence and collaboration

Principal Accountabilities

Describe in detail 4-5 major position responsibilities/duties, not tasks, listing the most important first.
No duty should have a percentage less than 5% and all duties should add to 100%
Research, ideate, and develop innovative and insight driven customer focused new products, services, and solutions that deliver commercially viable new products and solutions 45%
Utilize portfolio and project management tools 20%
Provide technical leadership in product and process development and improvement, quality systems, and regulatory oversight. 20%
Build Fresh Retail, Cargill Protein Group, and Cargill Corporate collaboration and product technical expertise. 10%
Build, maintain and defend IP portfolio 5%

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in meat science/food science or related field
• 4+ years combined professional experience in R&D 
• 4+ years combined professional experience with cooked meats
• Experience and knowledge in beef, pork, turkey, and chicken meat products.
• Proven ability to turn ideas into commercialized products (successful innovation product launch)
• Demonstrated proficiency in working with ambiguous direction
• Experience working successfully in a matrix organization
• Design of experiments
• Demonstrated financial and business acumen
• This position requires a high level of proficiency using Microsoft Office tools and business reporting systems
• Strong organizational and accuracy skills
• Experience working with cross-functional teams (marketing, insights, sales, ops, FSQR, multiple proteins)
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Excellent communication and conflict management skills required
• Good decision-making; ability to prioritize goals and work
• Strategic thinker with ability to build effective plans to support strategic initiatives 
• Must be tech-savvy and comfortable with evolving business-critical technology

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: A Masters, PhD or equivalent if food/meat science
• Formulation development, cooking expertise with an emphasis in deli meats
• Previous experience in prepared foods and fully cooked products
• Previous experience working directly with customers