What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research & Development Associate Scientist position at Idaho Milk Products?
SHIFT:
- Monday through Friday
- Occasional after hours work, depending on business needs.
BENEFITS:
- Excellent benefits package: medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance and AD&D, FSA, vacation, PTO, 401k with company match, and paid holidays.
- Subject to applicable eligibility and waiting periods.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The R&D Scientist will work in a brand-new state-of-the-art Milk Innovation Center (MIC) that focuses on bringing innovation and continuous improvements to milk ingredients produced in Idaho Milk Products. They are responsible for day-to-day operation, maintenance, and product processing in MIC per customers’ needs and help the R&D scientists in internal product processing and development activities. They will be involved in new process and product developments, current process and product improvements, conducting lab scale, bench top and pilot plant experiments, commercialization studies for new products, conducting milk ingredient applications in food products, and performing analytical work. This position can also hold the title of Research and Development Scientist, depending on experience.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage the state-of-the-art MIC:
- Execute the established safety, operating, cleaning and sanitation, and maintenance protocols for the pilot plant equipment. Update the existing protocols as per the changed needs and be able to generate standard protocols for new equipment and processes.
- Independently plan, manage, and complete product processing trials per customer needs and R&D scientists in internal development work.
- Keep track of spare parts and maintain the inventory levels to complete customer trials in time.
- Evaluate the available technology and recommend purchasing equipment enabling the state-of-the-art pilot plant to better meet customer requirements.
- Install and commission the new pilot plant process equipment in the MIC.
- Standardize and supply liquid ingredients to current and potential future customers.
- Conduct application work using IMP’s milk ingredient portfolio around protein beverages, protein bars, yogurts, ice creams, and other areas as needed.
- Oversee and carry out hands-on internal benchtop and pilot-scale trials and collaborate with external research and educational facilities to complement our capabilities.
- Maintain meticulous records to document all aspects of data and studies.
- Prepare presentations and reports to communicate results.
- Understand regulatory requirements and work to ensure compliance.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
POSITION SPECIFICATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
- Required: A BS or MS degree in Dairy Science, Food Science, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, or other related fields.
Experience:
- Experience solving problems, analyzing, highlighting relevant information, and suggesting appropriate actions.
- Required: BS with 2-4 years or MS with 1-2 years of dairy plant experience, bench top laboratory and pilot plant experience.
- Preferred: Knowledge of milk ingredient chemistry and functionality.
- Experience with milk ingredient applications in end products
- Experience solving problems, analyzing information, highlighting relevant information and suggesting appropriate actions.
Skills:
- Confirmed ability to work independently and meet defined deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively to achieve defined goals on time.
- Excellent MS Office skills, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to demonstrate these skills.
- Capable writer and oral communicator. Able to write reports and prepare/deliver presentations.
- Well-built skills in organization, prioritization, and time management.
- Creative self-starter who enjoys building systems from the ground up.
- Highly self-motivated individual comfortable working individually and able to manage multiple tasks and projects efficiently within a fast-paced, busy environment.
- Ability to establish good relations with all levels of employees.
Physical Requirements:
- Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
- Walking: occasional moving about on foot to accomplish some tasks.
- Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Includes activities in which they must accurately, loudly, or quickly convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers.
- Subject to up to at least 92db’s. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally.
- Stand for long periods of time.
To apply for this position, please visit our website at www.idahomilkproducts.com and click the JOIN OUR TEAM link in the top right-hand corner.
