Associate R&D Technologist

Smithfield Foods
tuition assistance, relocation assistance
United States, North Carolina, Tar Heel
April 08, 2024
If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub. A great job-and a great future-awaits you at Smithfield Foods. We're an $18 billion U.S. food company with nearly 60,000 employees worldwide. We're looking for motivated people who want to join our team and grow lasting and meaningful careers with us. Join our family today. Apply Now! Your Opportunity Our team members receive industry-competitive salaries and are eligible for great benefits packages: Competitive Pay: $50,000 - $72,600 annually Annual Bonus Earning Potential Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More Education benefit available to full and part time Smithfield team members on their first day of employment. Open to moving? We will help! Ask about our Relocation Assistance packages! In addition, we offer opportunities for career growth, professional development, and tuition assistance. The Associate Research and Development Technologist will assist in supporting projects and documenting results as well as the research of programs to drive cost optimization through formulation and processing efficiencies, create new prototypes for product development initiatives, and identify/approve potential ingredient and manufacturing suppliers. Core Responsibilities Assists in the development of new products and line extensions from bench top to commercialization. Helps R&D team in performing pilot plant tests to generate product prototypes, documents, organizes product reviews, and provides verbal and written communication on progress of projects. Runs production tests at manufacturing plants developing commercially viable new products or reformulated products to improve quality. Works with on-line formulation data base system creating or adjusting product formulations. Maintains accurate project files, formulations, specifications and product/ project data. Works with cross functional teams (Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, Finance, Engineering, Quality, Process Control etc.) on projects providing product development support. Improves product development skills though appropriate training, understanding USDA/ FDA regulations and hands-on working in projects. Assists other R&D team members if required to generate product prototypes. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university in Food Science or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required. Strong scientific knowledge of meat, non-meat ingredients and their functionality. Able to work with pilot plant equipment with minimum supervision. Proficient in on-line work systems and product development software tools. Continuously improves and updates food/meat science and product development skills and understands all aspects of current plant process systems. Ability to multi-task; strong interpersonal, communication, organizational and time management skills. May require travel up to 40% of the time. Must have the ability to complete required applicable forms in English, which requires the ability to read and write in English. Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment. Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment. Work Environment & Physical Demands The work environment characteristics & physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Office and plant setting. The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals. Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. Frequently required to stand; sit; walk; use hands handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, and talk or hear. EEO/AA Information Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.