We are working with a large, global, well-respected dairy company. This company is employee-centric, encouraging local decision-making, hands-on responsibility, and development opportunities.  They are seeking a Principal Scientist with dairy experience who will be responsible for the technological part of projects, improving existing products, and creating new products.  This person will organize and implement trials, from conceptual stages through commercialization.   

Location: Chicago, IL

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide technical knowledge on a variety of projects, which will improve quality, and yields, or address any other areas identified by the company to enhance products or production processes.
• Propose ideas for new products.
• Will propose and organize pilot plant or plant trials, interpret the results, and assist process development; will be responsible for writing well-structured thorough reports, with proper conclusions and recommendations.
• Work with plant and engineering in conducting feasibility studies pertaining to new product development and product improvement.
• Work cross-functionally with other departments (Marketing, Purchasing, Packaging, Manufacturing, QA, Legal)
• Continually explore and evaluate ways to improve all aspects of production, including raw materials, production techniques, specifications, packaging, shelf life, etc.
• Participate in Quality Assurance activities involving any number of issues or concerns. This may include activities such as HACCP analysis, good manufacturing practices, labeling, standards of identity, etc.
• Coordinate all support activities including maintaining complex technical notes and records of activity.
• Ensure the confidentiality of our process and information.
• Participate in patent search to protect company business and ensure that all findings are properly documented and recorded.
• Develop and maintain contact inside the R&D company network, including developing products for other countries and subsidiaries or sharing data, information, and knowledge with other teams.
• Develop and maintain both industry and academic contacts to remain current regarding technical developments.
• Be capable of acting as a Research & Development Technician for all routine pilot plant activities.

Required Skills/Qualifications:  

• Master’s degree preferred or equivalent in Dairy or Food Science.
• 5+ years’ experience in related fields (or equivalent combination of education & experience)
• Strong Cheese process knowledge is required.
• Food Technology knowledge (Microbiology / Physics / Biochemistry / Process).
• Mathematics knowledge including statistics.
• Excellent Communication skills.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for report writing and presentations.
• Willing to travel up to 30%.