What are the responsibilities and job description for the Food Scientist – Pilot Plant & Production Support position at Ajna Infotech?
Company Description
Job Description
Position Title: Food Scientist – Pilot Plant & Production Support
Location: Hugoton, KS – Onsite
Type: Fulltime
What You’ll Do
- Pilot Plant Operations
- Assist in planning and executing pilot plant trials in coordination with R&D project leads.
- Prepare platform and equipment configurations for trials.
- Manage raw material and packaging inventory for pilot activities.
- Support trial execution, including troubleshooting and post-trial cleaning (CIP).
- Collect, format, and analyze trial data from acquisition systems.
- Maintain hygiene, safety, and first-level maintenance of pilot plant equipment.
- Production Support & Industrial Implementation
- Support commissioning new production lines by verifying process parameters and product specifications.
- Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Engineering, and Operations to ensure smooth product scale-up.
- Participate in factory audits and assist in identifying optimization opportunities.
- Monitor product quality and consistency during production runs and assist in root cause analysis.
- Continuous Improvement & Documentation
- Contribute to shop floor improvement initiatives focused on performance KPIs.
- Help update SOPs and maintain documentation related to pilot plant operations and safety.
- Stay current with food processing technologies and propose equipment upgrades or investments.
Training & Collaboration
- Assist in training interns and temporary staff on pilot plant procedures and safety protocols.
- Participate in team development activities and technical workshops.
- Support cross-functional collaboration for product launches and renovations.
About You
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Bioprocessing, or related field OR 5 years of experience in food manufacturing operations
- Internship or academic experience in pilot plant or food manufacturing preferred
- Basic understanding of food processing equipment and hygienic design
- Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools
Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.