Senior Meat Scientist

Welcome to CTI Foods, where quality, service, and people are at the heart of everything we do. We are a leading food manufacturing company, dedicated to providing our customers with the best possible products and our employees with a rewarding career. 

At CTI, we passionately believe that people are our #1 ingredient. We provide a positive and supportive work environment, opportunities for growth and advancement, and a competitive compensation package. We value our employees' contributions and strive to create a culture of respect, teamwork, and excellence.

Whether you're interested in a career in production, quality control, or management, we have a variety of opportunities available. We believe that our success is a result of our focus on quality, service, and people, and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers and employees with excellence.

If you're looking for a rewarding career in the food manufacturing industry, look no further than CTI Foods! Join our team and become a part of a company that values quality, service, and people. 

The Senior Food/Meat Scientist should have the skills and capability to independently develop and commercialize food products utilizing CTI Foods existing enterprise capabilities.  The ideal candidate will have expertise, knowledge of, or exposure to kettle, batch oven (industrial smokehouse), linear oven, stuffing, patty forming, vacuum, size reduction and marination processes.  The individual will be technically competent with a passion for innovation and developing high quality culinary-inspired products.  The individual should be adept at assessing, theorizing, testing, analyzing, formulating, and developing technical solutions to complex problems faced by the small but nimble technical team at CTI Foods.    

1. Works under the supervision of the VP of R&D to develop assigned products.
2. Develops new products, improves existing products, optimizes processes, and reduces cost.
3. Designs products to meet customer expectations.
4. Responsible for the commercialization of products and ensure the smooth transition from bench to plant.
5. Master the commercialization process at CTI Foods. He/She will work collaboratively with cross-functional team members to successfully launch new products.
6. Accurately document formulations and methods for making bench top samples, as well as make samples when needed, during the development process.
7. Assist in the development of process capable specifications (internal and external) with input from Operations and Food Safety & Quality for new products and modified products.
8. Source ingredients, as needed for the development process. Coordinate with purchasing and ensure purchasing strategy is employed. Develop relationships with suppliers and leverage their resources when possible.
9. Perform sensory testing; analyze and present sensory data.
10. Perform nutritional analysis of prototypes using the nutritional program Genesis R&D.
11. Create draft ingredient statements and assess the presence of allergens and sensitive ingredients in formulations.
12. Work in a production environment where he/she will provide assistance in trouble-shooting plant related issues and provide technical insights to the Operations Team.
13. Work closely with QA and Operations to determine root cause of customer complaints, as well as, suggest corrective actions.
14. Works closely with CTI customers; presenting products and providing technical support.
15. Provide technical support to CTI Sales Team.
16. Responsible to ensure that all designated R&D areas are clean and organized.
17. Observe and comply with all food safety (GMP) and general safety guidelines.
18. Complete assigned work in a timely manner to meet project timelines.
19. Available to travel up to 50% of the time for CTI business purposes.
20. Performs other related duties as assigned.

What we need from you:

• Bachelor’s Degree in the biological sciences (Meat Science, Food Science, Biology, Nutrition, etc.) with 5 to 7 years of experience
  • or Graduate Degree in the biological sciences with 2 to 5 years of experience
• Expert level knowledge of meat systems – beef, pork, and poultry
• Competent functional knowledge of ingredients to effect flavor, appearance, texture, and yield.
• Keen understanding of processes and their impact on product performance - grinding, fat balancing, blending, vacuum tumbling, marination, stuffing, cooking (thermal treatment), smoking, cooling, freezing, cutting, and packaging (MAP and non-MAP).
• Preferred Computer Skills
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Certifications evidencing knowledge in a pertinent area of interest (labeling, meat 101’s, sensory analysis, certified culinary scientist, continuing education, etc.)
• Knowledge of USDA regulations – for example, standard of identity claims and ingredient regulations.
• Knowledge and proficiency in GMP, and HACCP guidelines.
• Knowledge of quality principles, theories, and practices.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Genesis R&D, and Salesforce.
• Skilled in presenting information or ideas concisely, accurately, and clearly verbally and in writing.
• Skilled in analyzing and documenting simple and complex business processes.
• Skilled in communication with a focus on listening and influencing skills.
• Ability to articulate complex issues clearly and simply to all parties.
• Ability to remain flexible and adjust promptly and effectively during times of change.
• Ability to anticipate business emerging needs.
• Ability to guide teams to collectively create actionable solutions.
• Ability to articulate complex issues clearly and simply to all parties.
• Ability to exercises appropriate judgment in decision-making and problem solving; seeks help promptly as necessary.
• Excellent communicator, both written and verbal.
• Critical thinker, with attention to detail.
• Multi-tasker, with a cool and collected demeanor.
• Intellectually curious, with a passion for creating innovative products.
• Life-long learner, eager to learn and teach others.
• Collaborator, with a team first attitude.
• Conscientious, takes pride in work but always continually improving.

What you'll receive from us:

• Salary within the range of $90,000 - $112,000, depending on experience*
• Unlimited PTO*
• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Telehealth Services
• 401K Matching
• FSA & HSA available
• EAP and wellbeing support
• Tuition reimbursement program available

*The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range of candidates hired. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, how many years of experience you have and comparison to other employees already in this role. Most candidates will start in the bottom half of the range. Unlimited PTO requests are subject to approval and is subject to the current business needs of CTI Foods.