Food Scientist

Utz Quality Foods is currently seeking a Food Scientist to join our team in Hanover, PA. Reporting to the Director of Research & Development, this position will be responsible for leading all aspects of new product development from concept to commercialization. This individual will work closely with several cross-functional groups including manufacturing, procurement, packaging, sales, and marketing.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in food science, chemistry, or chemical engineering with demonstrated leadership and team building competencies. Exceptional communication and project management skills are essential to this role, as is the ability to be self-directed and forward thinking. Candidates must possess the ability to make complex decisions that drive innovation and performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, conducts and/or reviews experiments (e.g., laboratory or process experiments) to deliver new products.

• Evaluates ingredient and product efficacy, claims and safety.

• Evaluates new ingredients, materials, products and/or processes.

• Successfully applies scientific, engineering and consumer insights principles in research, formulation, processing, and commercialization of snacks.

• Identifies, evaluates, and selects new ingredients, developments, trends and technologies in food and beverage industry to guide product development initiatives.

• Runs pilot scale equipment with knowledge of various plant unit operations and processes.

• Performs plant trials from initial planning through execution and scale-up.

• Analyzes ingredients, finished products or other substances using laboratory instruments. This includes preparation of analytical standards and standard curves.

• Uses and applies knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (e.g., handling of chemicals and glassware, preparation of standards and reagents, proper measuring techniques, data management, housekeeping).

• Develops, maintains and/or validates laboratory test methods or equipment (sampling, monitoring, analytical procedures) to ensure reliability and accuracy of analytical results.

• Writes detailed and accurate reports for analyses, experiments, and projects.

• Responsible for quality and food safety tasks for their position.

• Scouts new technologies, processes and partners to help drive the business, meeting new consumer and business needs.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience required.

• Bachelor's Degree: A Bachelor's degree in food science, chemistry, chemical engineering is preferred.

• Demonstrated leadership and team building competencies.

• Project management and complex problem-solving abilities.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and people management skills.

• Able to be self-directed, forward thinking and make complex decisions that drive business innovation and performance.

• Deep ability to exercise design of experiments, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

• Comfort with presenting findings/data to senior leadership.

• Excellent time and project management skills with proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple, concurrent projects.

Spreading Joy Through Food!

Here at Utz, we have a passion for food that our associates enjoy creating, our customers value selling, and our consumers love eating. Our renowned family of brands includes Utz, Zapp's, Boulder Canyon, and On the Border. We provide a supportive, caring and inclusive environment that offers opportunities for career growth and advancement. We believe it is important to help take care of our associates by providing benefits, resources, and programs that ensure they live their healthiest lives. Our benefit package includes medical, dental, and vision plans, an employer match 401k, profit sharing plan, employee stock purchase plan; and access to free medical care through the Utz Health & Wellness Center and our very own Fitness Center. Join OneUtzTeam and help us spread joy through food for generations to come!

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, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.