R&D Scientist at Berner Food & Beverage in Dakota, IL

Great Opportunity in Research and Development with a GREAT COMPANY! Be part of the employer of choice.

Berner Food & Beverage is committed to ensuring the highest standards of food safety and quality for our customers' brands. We foster a culture that promotes a safe, productive, inclusive, respectful, and meaningful work environment for our employees, instilling a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Berner Food & Beverage is currently seeking an R&D Scientist.

Summary: The R&D Scientist will formulate milk/dairy-based beverage products and/or cheese products and assist in the management of the development from prototype through commercialization. The R&D Scientist will assist in developing customer specifications, nutrition facts panels, and ingredient statements for products, and ensure compliance with all FDA standards of identity and label-related claims. Builds relationships with customers and works across functions to execute production trials and testing. Provides technical support to Operations and customers, as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

• Develop new products, optimize existing products, and adapt customer formulas.

• Produce benchtop samples and evaluate for shipment to customers.

• Set up formulas and processes for plant trials and production.

• Work cross-functionally with Operations, Procurement, and Quality to conduct pilot and production trials for customer and thermal process testing.

• Provide timely and appropriate product information to support customer requirements.

• Create product specifications, ingredient statements, and Nutrition Facts panels, assuring products meet appropriate FDA/USDA requirements for shelf-stable products.

• Leverage outside resources to recommend new technology platforms to support new beverage product development.

• Maintain beverage lab and pilot plant, overseeing ingredient inventories, supplies, equipment cleaning & maintenance.

• Provide technical support and leadership to Operations.

• Learn and develop knowledge of Berner’s thermal processing procedures.

• Assist with thermal processing studies in production retorts, under the direction of management and Process Authority.

• Ensure documentation of formulas and product parameters to meet LACF requirements.

Education and Experience

• Minimum B.S. in Food Science, Nutrition, or a related field. Master's preferred in Dairy Science

• Preferred 1-5 years of food product development and commercialization experience

• Solid understanding of emulsions, milk & whey proteins, food safety, and allergens

• Retort knowledge/experience desired

• Ability to discriminate flavors

• Demonstrates initiative and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Excellent relationship skills and ability to work directly with customers and sales

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)

• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously

• Excellent project management and organizational skills

• Ability to maintain and operate laboratory and pilot equipment

• Ability to work in a production environment and support production trials in a 24/7 operation

• Good troubleshooting and problem-solving skills

• Strong in Microsoft Excel and navigating web-based systems

Pay Range: 65,000.00 to 85, 000.00 (based on experience). Full medical, dental, vision, 401k benefits offered.

Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, or working conditions associated with this job.

All job duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description must be performed onsite at our designated workplace location. This position does not offer remote, hybrid, or or telecommuting work options. Applicants must be able and willing to work in person as a condition of employment.