Formulations Scientist

For nearly a century, The Jel Sert Company has focused on creating high-quality, high-value foods and beverages that help bring people together. In 2022 and 2024, Jel Sert was certified as a Great Place to Work! We are currently looking for a passionate and dedicated individual to join our team as a Formulations Scientist. If you are looking for a Great Place to Work, with a work environment that encourages personal growth, responsibility, and a shared vision for creating incredible products that help create lasting memories, then Jel Sert wants you!

The FORMULATIONS SCIENTIST is primarily responsible for formulation development related to new products and product improvements. This includes branded, licensed and contract items. This position is also responsible for primary technical transfer of the new formulations into commercial operations - in conjunction with the Jel Sert Technical Development Group.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Formulating and executing product development from bench to production scale for new products and/or product improvements across various product lines/programs, while adhering to project timeline and cost parameters.
• Perform new product development that require knowledge and experience in both processing technologies and product formulation.
• Optimize existing formulas to achieve cost savings.
• Create and maintain formulations, specifications, processes, and testing procedures.
• Coordinate bench samples for prototyping and Sales/Marketing presentations.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality Control, Supply Chain, Packaging and Business Development to conduct trials, complete projects and meet production timing.
• Work with contract customers as needed.
• Adhere to all GMP and SQF procedures.
• Work with vendors to identify ingredient improvements, innovative ingredient applications and process improvements.

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.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Must have a minimum of 3 years' experience in product development formulating nutritional and food products.
• Ability to work with others in a high-paced environment.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple projects, timelines and communication to appropriate team members.
• Sensory evaluation skills, be able to set up, conduct and analyze results.
• General knowledge of manufacturing procedures, capabilities, and departments (i.e. powder blending and filling, liquid processing and filling, etc.)
• Bachelor's degree in food science, chemistry or biology required, Masters in Food Science a plus.
• Dietary supplement formulation experience a plus.
• Experience with Genesis Nutrition Software a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

• Must have excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
• Must have strong analytical skills.
• Passion for the creation of new and exciting products
• Self-starter that is naturally curious and enjoys working in a fast-paced innovation centric environment
• Project management, attention to detail and organizational skills

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU - BENEFITS

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• 401(K ) & ROTH Plan with Company Match
• Life Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance
• Paid Time Off plus Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program with a comprehensive emotional, financial, physical, and social well-being programs.
• Continuous learning opportunities through various platforms and resources.

PERKS OF WORKING AT JEL SERT!

• Training and Career Development Opportunities
• Referral Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Discounts on our Delicious Products
• Health Club Member Reimbursement
• Interactive Company Culture with Engagement Activities
• Employee Service Awards
• Company Philanthropy
• Close to the Police Station, Metra Station and West Chicago Park District

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally form position to position.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing: perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and having the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and making fine discriminations in sound.
• Repetitive Motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs on an as needed basis
• Ability to climb stairs in order to get to areas of the facility to perform job responsibilities.
• Pushing and pulling of carts on an as needed basis.
• Ability to use senses; taste, touch, smell and sight.
• Close visual acuity to perform activities: preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer terminal, reading, visual inspection of materials, operating laboratory devices, etc.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Mainly lab environment with some office and plant work. In the lab environment, one will work, from time to time, with hazardous chemicals with supplied safety equipment and is subject to atmospheric conditions such as dust.

ACCOUNTABILITIES CHECKLIST

Planning

Prioritizes and schedules own work under guidance from management

Coordinating/Supervising

Checks the quality and timeliness of own work.

Maintain a professional and organized work environment.

FOOD SAFETY RESPONSIBLITIES

Follow applicable procedures and work instructions.

Monitor QCP, if applicable QCCP's

Back-up to Senior Director of Research & Development

IMPACT ON JEL SERT SUCCESS

Development of new Jel Sert formulations and new contract formulations in general is integral to the success and growth of Jel Sert as a whole.