R&D Food Chemist

Kelly Science & Clinical is seeking a R&D Food Chemist in Bridgeview, IL.

Direct Hire

Shift: Monday – Friday 9am-5pm

Compensation: $75,000/year – $95,000/year based on experience 

Key Responsibility:

• Develop and optimize food formulations and products to meet customer and market needs.

• Select and evaluate raw materials based on product requirements, performance, quality, and cost.

• Prepare product samples for customer testing and approval.

• Conduct formulation, performance, stability, and shelf-life testing and interpret results.

• Develop experimental plans, with guidance as needed, for short- and long-term product development projects using DOE and other appropriate techniques.

• Conduct proof-of-concept studies and evaluate the feasibility of new product concepts.

• Troubleshoot formulation, product quality, and manufacturing issues and provide technical recommendations.

• Prepare and maintain Product Data Sheets (PDS), product specifications, nutritional information, and other technical product documentation to support product development, commercialization, customers, and regulatory requirements.

• Calculate, compile, and verify nutritional values and ingredient information for product labels using formulation data, raw material specifications, supplier information, laboratory results, and applicable regulatory requirements.

• Support the development and review of product labels, including nutritional information, ingredient declarations, allergen statements, and other required technical information.

• Review product formulations and technical documentation to ensure consistency between formulations, specifications, nutritional information, labels, and customer requirements.

• Participate in cross-functional projects and provide technical support to internal teams, customers, and manufacturing.

• Research and apply relevant technical information, including scientific literature, patents, regulations, and raw material information, to support product development.

• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, formulation records, procedures, technical reports, Technical Data Sheets, specifications, and presentations.

• Provide technical and laboratory guidance to junior chemists and technicians as needed.

• Participate in technical training, brainstorming sessions, and other activities that support team and customer needs.

• Support and comply with SQF, HACCP, food safety, food defense, product quality, GMP, allergen control, cleaning and sanitation, and company safety requirements.

• Identify and address food safety and product quality concerns and escalate issues as appropriate.

• Take on additional responsibilities and projects needed to support evolving business needs.

Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in Food Chemistry, Food Science, Nutrition, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field required. Degree in Food Science or Food Chemistry preferred.

• 3–5 years of relevant food industry and food product development/formulation experience.

• Working knowledge of HACCP, SQF, GMPs, allergen control, and FDA food safety requirements is preferred. PCQI certification or experience with preventive controls is also preferred.

• Experience conducting experiments and analyzing, interpreting, and communicating experimental data.

• Working knowledge of scientific principles, including food chemistry, applicable to food formulation and product development.

• Working knowledge of nutritional calculations, food labeling requirements, ingredient declarations, allergen labeling, and applicable food regulations is preferred.

• Experience preparing Product Data Sheets, product specifications, nutritional information, or other technical product documentation is preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively review and apply technical information relevant to projects, including technical documents, patents, regulations, and raw material information.

• Skills to troubleshoot formulation and product development challenges, relying on chemistry and scientific principles.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate technical documentation.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate technical information to customers and other stakeholders.

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