R&D Food Scientist

Location: On-Site at Hugoton, KS Factory Reports To: Pilot Plant Supervisor / Senior R D Manager About the Role We're looking for a Food Scientist to support pilot plant operations and industrial implementation of new products. In this role, you'll assist with trial execution, data collection, and commissioning of new production lines, while ensuring hygiene, safety, and efficiency in our experimental platform. You'll also coordinate the collection of sales samples and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives. This is a hands-on role for someone passionate about food science and process engineering who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced manufacturing environment. What You'll Do Pilot Plant Operations Assist in planning and executing pilot plant trials with R D project leads. Prepare equipment configurations and manage raw material and packaging inventory. Support trial execution, 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 of new production lines by verifying process parameters and product specifications. Collaborate with R D, Quality, Engineering, and Operations for smooth product scale-up. Participate in factory audits and identify optimization opportunities. Monitor product quality during production runs and assist in root cause analysis. Continuous Improvement & Documentation Contribute to shop floor improvement initiatives focused on performance KPIs. Update SOPs and maintain documentation related to pilot plant operations and safety. Stay current with food processing technologies and propose equipment upgrades. Training & Collaboration Assist in training interns and temporary staff on pilot plant procedures and safety protocols. Participate in technical workshops and cross-functional collaboration for product launches. About You Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Bioprocessing, or related field 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing operations. Internship or academic experience in a pilot plant or food manufacturing preferred. Strong foundation in food science and process engineering; hands-on experience on the plant floor. Basic understanding of food processing equipment and hygienic design. Experience in improving processes, recipes, equipment upgrades, and testing methodologies. Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills. Team-oriented with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools. What's next If this position sounds interesting, please hit the apply button now! #LI-AM1 #LI-Onsite