Shearer's is a leading contract manufacturer and private label supplier in the snack industry in North America. Headquartered in Massillon, Ohio, Shearer's has 17 state-of-the-art, geographically diverse manufacturing facilities in Ohio, Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Iowa, Ontario and Alberta, Canada, including one of the industry's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum LEED certified facilities in Massillon, Ohio. The Company is known for producing the highest quality snacks in assorted flavors and sizes, including kettle cooked potato chips, traditional potato chips, tortilla chips, cheese curls and other extruded snacks, and corn chips, as well as cookies, crackers, and wafers.

 

Sr. R&D Food Technologist

Massillon, OH (Hybrid)

 

Seeking an experienced Senior Food Technologist to join our solutions-driven R&D team. This role combines technical expertise in food science with leadership responsibilities. The successful candidate will lead and support the development and commercialization of new salty snack flavors and seasonings and oversee junior direct reports. The Sr. Food Technologist will collaborate closely with Vendors and cross functional groups, including manufacturing, commercialization, procurement, and subject matter experts to review, improve, and approve new and existing ingredients, technologies, and processes. Utilizing solid food science skills, you will work to identify product and process optimization opportunities such as ingredient and recipe changes, product quality improvements, supply continuity initiatives, manufacturing technical services, process improvements, regulatory requirements, and innovative technology applications as assigned.

Your Seat at the Table:

Provide technical knowledge, direction, education, and assistance in the development and commercialization of high-quality snack food products.

  • Lead seasoning development from concept to commercialization ensuring products meet safety, regulatory, and quality standards.
  • Lead projects across Seasoning Vendors to achieve sales and productivity goals.
  • Collaborate and partner with both internal and external suppliers to source resources, solve challenges and contribute to ongoing product innovation.
  • Develop, plan, manage and execute the steps and stages of Shearer’s product formulation and seasoning development and optimization.
  • Demonstrate excellence in project planning and execution through best use of resources to ensure on-time to project completion.
  • Maintain accurate and effective research and development records, documentation and version control of new formulation, seasoning, and raw material evaluations.
  • Effectively and simultaneously manage multiple projects for multiple customers and develop and manage project timelines and deliverables accordingly.
  • Conduct and support Shearer’s sensory work including internal and external consumer panels and competitive cutting evaluations.
  • Conduct plant trials to assess and evaluate new product ideas and ingredients following protocol for pre-, during and post-trial completion.
  • Implement analytical testing and shelf-life studies to ensure product stability, performance, and regulatory compliance.
  • Provide leadership to manufacturing operations to troubleshoot product and/or processing problems and find solutions.
  • Provide technical risk assessment/perspectives related to new product development.
  • Execute best practices and SOPs with regards to shelf-life studies, product material evaluations and identify areas of opportunity for quality improvements.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives in product quality, process efficiency, and cost savings.
  • Support sourcing team in selection and procurement of ingredients.
  • Support quality team in meeting all Shearer’s and industry quality standards.
  • Support continuous improvement efforts including initiatives that deliver cost savings without impact to taste and/or product quality.
  • Use TraceGains to track and manage the development of new and proposed products’ technical ingredient and raw material specifications, including key quality assurance components of allergens, nutritional information, shelf life and more.
  • Partner with cross functional teams to identify new food capabilities and growth possibilities across existing lines and relevant strategic new production capabilities.
  • Coach and mentor members of team to help them maximize effectiveness and prepare them for potential future roles.

What you Bring to the Table:

  • Bachelor’s degree in food science or related field or equivalent in experience.
  • 7-10 years of food industry experience in consumer food product development and/or innovation platforms including new formulation design
  • Deep knowledge of food formulation. Ingredient functionality, food safety standards, product testing and sensory evaluation
  • Proficient with TraceGains
  • Proficient with Genesis or similar ingredient and nutritional fact panel creation tool
  • Capable of evaluating Regulatory and Marketing packaging claims
  • Experience working within a stage gate new product development process
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office software suite with demonstrated ability to organize, track, and maintain complex technical details.
  • Experience with customer and consumer research a plus.
  • Travel up to 10% to production plants, customers, suppliers, and other business needs.

 

We Offer a Feast of Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Flexible Spending Account, Retirement Savings Plan with Match, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Group Critical Accident Insurance, Group Critical Illness Insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and numerous opportunities to volunteer in the communities in which we operate.

 

You will be considered for employment in our inclusive workplace

Because at Shearer’s, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

This is your invitation to apply now!

To all recruitment agencies: Shearer’s Snacks does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, employees or any other company location. Shearer’s is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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