Senior Food Scientist - On-Site Role - Beverage Manufacturing

Lassonde Pappas & Co. is a US Leader in Beverage Manufacturing dedicated to our team members, customers and consumers satisfaction. We remain committed to our small-town roots and rural values. Hardworking and caring are qualities that make our teams special. Since 1942, we’ve been producing delicious products for our customers across the country!

To provide the best for our customers, we focus on building the best team by creating and advancing an inclusive environment amongst our diverse workforce. If you’re passionate about customer satisfaction, reliable, and committed to being and doing better, join us!

We value each of our employee’s total wellbeing. To support employees in all stages of their wellness journey, we have a robust benefits program including: medical, dental, and vision coverage options, growth and development potential, along with 401-K, Life & Disability Insurance, PTO, Tuition Reimbursement, Health Fairs, Gym Membership Discounts, and so much more!

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POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Food Scientist will be responsible for developing new beverages including organic, nutrient enhanced, drinks, cocktails, teas, new age beverages and sauces, as well as, line extensions. This position also executes organizational tasks for the R&D department and learning new product development techniques, as well as, sensory training and customer innovation sessions. This role reports to the Director, R&D and is based out of our Cherry Hill, New Jersey location.

Primary Responsibilities include:

• New Product Development: Develop new beverages including juices, drinks, cocktails, teas, new age beverages and sauces as well as line extensions
• Manage development, research, formulation, and duplication of new products from conception to shelf
• Perform lab analysis, sensory analysis, and conducts market product evaluation
• Set ingredient product specifications and prepares final product formulations for testing and approval
• Write and complete detailed accurate reports on analyses, experiments, projects and final product; documents formula calculations, process and ingredient requirements
• Maintain formula records in QAD.
• Attend new product start-ups in the plant locations
• Coordinate directly with purchasing on sourcing new ingredients
• Recommend new suppliers, get required documentation from suppliers; follow up with suppliers on quality issues
• Coordinate with regulatory and food safety team on desired claims, call outs, and any new ingredients
• Train other scientists on flavor development and gives constructive input and feedback at group tastings. Recommend next steps for improvement
• Perform organizational / administrative tasks such as processing standards management, maintaining laboratory inventory, and processing guide changes
• Analyze sensory results and performs yearly sensory training for corporate and the plants
• Handle customer innovation sessions with sales and marketing
• Learn and master product development process and technology
• Reformulate current products
• Evaluate and test new ingredients
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Biology or Chemistry (or related discipline)
• Master’s Degree in related discipline is a plus
• Minimum 7-10 years prior experience in a food laboratory environment
• Beverage experience is highly preferred
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Eagerness to learn
• Positive attitude
• Flavor experience a plus
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Detailed oriented and can multi-task
• Excellent time management skills

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the food/beverage industry
• Understanding of labeling laws, preferred
• Ability to direct, coach and train others
• Consultative, influential, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires sufficient physical ability to work in a typical office setting; driving a motor vehicle and occasionally working in the field.

FREQUENT: sitting, upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity and light to moderate finger pressure to include extended periods of keyboard and mouse use, side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending and stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials.

OCCASIONAL: squatting, kneeling, reach above and at shoulder height, moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20 – 35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive list of the responsibilities that are required to successfully perform in this position. Other duties as assigned are part of every job description. The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential job functions.

Lassonde Pappas & Co., Inc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.