Food Development Technologist

FreshRealm - CONNECTING THROUGH MEALS

At FreshRealm we aspire to be THE fresh meal company. Fresh meals are our focus, and we are passionate about revolutionizing this rapidly growing category. 

FreshRealm develops, sources, commercializes and assembles fresh meals. Fresh meals, including meal kits, ready-to-heat, and ready-to-cook offerings are 100% our focus. We partner with leading Grocery, Convenience, and Omnichannel retailers to deliver the very best meals to their customers. Our success is measured by the success of our retail partners. Service, quality, and consistency are our obsession, and we take pride in every meal that our customers place on their shelves.

At FreshRealm meals are more than a source of nutrition, they are our passion. Meals are the heart of a timeless ritual of sitting down to connect with family, friends, and ourselves. We are proud to play a small part in the ritual of "connecting us through meals".

If you are a leader looking to build the future of fresh meals,  you are growth-minded and thrive in an entrepreneurial environment, or you are excited to work with the country's largest retailers, go to market with the best in product quality, and work with industry leaders that care for each other and their communities, FreshRealm is the perfect fit for you. 

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

The Food Development Technologist will carry out the transfer of all product information from the culinary team to the commercialization team. They will ensure accurate documentation of recipe builds, cooking instructions, program economics and packaging requirements. Working very closely with the Corporate Development Chefs, they will work predominantly in the Direct-to-Consumer category, developing meals to specific nutritional/ dietary requirements. They will be involved in the artwork and specification process and work very closely with the Culinary, Supply, Technical, Sales, Marketing, and Commercialization teams. Manages and continually improves all process documentation.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Communicate and coordinate information and activities to facilitate accurate and efficient product development and product changes
• Ensure critical path development stage gates are met, collaborating closely with the Culinary, Supply, Technical, Sales, Marketing and Commercialization teams
• Utilize software to calculate nutritional facts panels and work closely with chefs to develop meals that meet customers' requirements
• Communicate with suppliers to assist in sourcing new ingredients
• Assist Culinary team with all aspects of product development including market research studies and trend data
• Costing of new products developed by the culinary team
• Work closely with technical team to ensure development projects comply with customers brand policies and quality requirements
• Ensure correct handover information of new and reformulated products into the business
• Sales brief translation
• Facilitate product presentation packs for internal and customer presentations
• Co-ordinate new product samples, manage sample calendar, and work cross-functionally to deliver on time
• Assist in customer presentations on and off-site where applicable
• Direct liaison with customers on projects
• Design, execute and analyze experimental approach for product design
• Involvement in new packaging design/testing
• Organizes travel testing for new packaging & formulations and ensures effective communication of results
• Manage the change log process for the New Product Development team
• Assists in the organization of all relevant samples for artwork, taste panels and nutritional analysis
• Manages and continually improves all new product development documentation
• Assist commercialization teams during new product production trials as and when required
• Carries out root cause analysis/ resolving development issues or product improvements when required
• Provides full training to Technical and Operations teams on new products, i.e., visual, flavor, texture, aroma, and any special attributes
• Supplies relevant product information when required for post-launch review
• Assist in inventory control of new product raw material and packaging

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB

Skills and Requirements

• Enthusiastic, flexible, resourceful, and self-motivated
• Proficient using excel, databases and report writing
• Detail oriented
• Able to communicate at all levels, both above and below
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Must be flexible in terms of working hours
• Demonstrated ability at being a team player
• Experience working in a continuous improvement environment and demonstrated delivery through change
• Experience with Trace Gains and Genesis software ideal
• Travel to sites across the USA as and when required

Experience / Education

• Experience in the direct-to-consumer business model for fresh prepared meals
• Requires a bachelor's degree and 2-4 years of experience in a chilled food manufacturing environment
• Certified and trained in OSHA requirements and expectations, HACCP, and/or Food Hygiene
• Experience with data and trend reports
• Experience with nutritional software (e.g., genesis), running nutritional and allergen reports

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Learning Agility - The willingness and ability to learn from experience, and subsequently apply that learning to perform successfully under new or first-time conditions.
• Drive for Results - Can be counted on to deliver on what is required to advance the company; takes ownership of work from start to 100% finished work, brings others along with focused intensity.
• Functional Skills - Possesses top level relevant, usable, experience and knowledge with the ability to establish themself as the best performer in the industry, at their role and level.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT/WORK CONDITIONS

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. The employee is frequently exposed to a variety of varying weather conditions, trash, waste, chemicals and other materials. The noise level in the work environment and facility can be loud. The employee must be able to adapt to working in an environment that is chilled and that surfaces may be slippery. 

Physical Requirements: Sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting up to 40lbs; pull/push up to 60 lbs, grasp small products and identify very small variations in the product.  Sight is required for observing work and production.  May spend several hours using a computer to create reports, analyze data and respond to inquiries and issues.  May be exposed to active machinery and moving equipment, food particles and trash. May be required to use a forklift or other machinery.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may be required to perform other business duties as assigned.

Covid-19 protocols are consistent with State Regulations

Work Authorization: Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident and/or alien authorized to work in the US on an unlimited basis

FreshRealm, Inc does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm recruiters. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of FreshRealm, Inc.