Scientist I - Customer Engagement

We make pet food taste great! For over 30 years, AFB International has been providing pet food solutions that enrich the lives of pets and their people. Our palatants are specially designed to make pet foods, treats and supplements taste better, ensuring pets receive the vital nutrients they need. We know wagging tails, licking whiskers and empty bowls equal happy pets and happy pet parents. Join AFB and you'll be a part of a team of highly skilled professionals that provide the greatest contribution to our success as an organization. Our team members are diverse, creative, passionate experts who are genuinely dedicated to our mission, our customers, and the pets we serve worldwide.

Job Description

The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting research & development, providing technical expertise, and interfacing with internal and external cross-functional teams for customer specific projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities including but not limited to:

• Provide scientific and technical expertise to customer specific opportunities by integrating relevant prior experience and new development within the research & development department
• Manage, develop and execute R&D projects for cat and dog palatability
• Support project execution through scale-up of products and processes in benchtop, pilot plant and plant as necessary.
• Understand and utilize food product manufacturing equipment including retort equipment, extruder, spray dryer and dry blend equipment as required for projects
• Liaison cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Engineering, Supply Chain and internal R&D teams with the objective of addressing customer needs
• Effectively communicate project progress through phone calls, written report and in-person presentations both within and outside the organization
• Generate ideas in support of new product and process development within the R&D department.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

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 with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements:

• BS degree in food science, animal science, flavor chemistry, food engineering or other similar field plus 24 months of related experience (or MS plus 12 months experience).
• Demonstrable experience with product development, food ingredients, technical service, product concepts or new technology in human or pet food industry.
• Proficient skill level in MS Office Applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Knowledge of food science and food technology principles for R&D
• Ability to execute trials at lab and pilot plant scale using equipment's including but not limited to meat grinders, canning equipment, extruder, reactors and mixers
• Ability to thrive in a fast paced, dynamic working environment and on multiple projects according to project deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills to interact effectively with scientists, higher management, customers and suppliers as required.
• Knowledge of safety practices applicable to food research laboratory environments and ability to follow designated safety procedures.
• Knowledge of properties and applications of ingredients and materials involved in research
• Ability to maintain accurate records relating to projects as they are planned performed and completed. Proficiency with electronic means for recording data is required.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to effectively present information to team members, top management, public groups, etc.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to walk and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Ability to stand for extended hours for lab, pilot plant and production trials.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics 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. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually noisy.

AFB International is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.