Join a world leader in specialty coatings and functional blends for the food and pharmaceutical industries, part of a NYSE-traded company.
Shape the future of stabilizer blends for multiple applications, focusing on innovative, in-depth scientific exploration rather than routine tasks.
Work in a culture that values intelligence, initiative, and independent problem-solving, offering significant autonomy in project execution.
Benefit from a clear career growth path, including potential for a Team Lead position and advancement on a technical ladder.
Contribute to a highly innovative business, with dedicated time (20%) for developing new products and solutions.
Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including a pension plan, which is a rare and highly attractive offering in today's market.
What You'll Do
Lead and execute customer-driven projects, exploring various formulations and conducting multiple experiments to achieve optimal results.
Serve as the primary technical interface with customers, collaborating directly to understand needs and ensure product success within their processes.
Drive innovation projects from concept to commercialization, focusing on unique and new solutions for the market.
Maintain detailed documentation of project work and prepare necessary support materials like spec sheets and nutritional information.
Utilize available resources effectively, including pilot plant operations and ingredient weighing technicians, to maximize project efficiency.
Work cross-functionally with sales, QA, and production teams, providing technical support and insights while proactively navigating internal dynamics to advance projects.
Spend approximately 20% of your time on innovation initiatives, exploring new ideas and driving the development of novel products.
Candidate Profile
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science or a related scientific field.
4+ years of hands-on experience in product development or applications, with a strong understanding of stabilizer blends. This is the core requirement.
Proven ability to approach scientific problems with curiosity, exploring multiple experimental avenues rather than settling for a "one and done" solution.
Strong initiative, drive, and the ability to take ownership of projects, working independently with minimal direct supervision.
Experience directly interfacing with customers and presenting technical information.
Emotional maturity, capable of navigating complex organizational relationships, including those with sales teams.
Strong project management abilities, capable of outlining projects, setting clear objectives, and organizing experiments effectively.
Solid skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel); emphasis on inherent intelligence over reliance on sophisticated software.
Knowledge of SQF, GMP's, Kosher, Sanitation, Allergen, and Organic practices.
Willingness to travel occasionally (under 20%) to customer facilities for project collaboration and technical support.
Proactive approach to professional development, continuously seeking to enhance skills and expand knowledge.
Live/relocate to the northwest suburban Chicago area
