Job Description

SCIENTIST/SENIOR SCIENTIST- PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT  - Hormel Foods Corporation (Austin, MN)

To save time applying, Hormel Foods does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas for this position at this time.

 ABOUT HORMEL FOODS — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters®, Skippy®, SPAM®, Hormel® Natural Choice®, Applegate®, Justin’s®, Wholly®, Hormel® Black Label®, Columbus®, Jennie-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized on Fast Company’s list of the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators, received a perfect score of 100 on the 2023–24 Corporate Equality Index and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ — to bring some of the world’s most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

A Product Development Scientist is responsible to deliver on our company’s key result of 2% topline growth, 5% bottom line growth, and 15% innovation goals through conducting research, analyzing data, and providing recommendations on ways to develop new products and/or improve existing ones. This role requires a strong background in science, excellent problem-solving skills, an understanding of food safety, and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

• Communicate effectively with internal cross functional team members as well as external customers and suppliers using verbal, oral and written skills to accurately define requirements into actionable tasks.
• Manage multiple projects of various degrees of difficulty that include input and direction from several adjacent business area such as Marketing, Operations, QC, Accounting, and Regulatory.  The candidate will be able to integrate this input and provide recommendations and direction.
• Perform scientific benchtop work, which may include assembling and running pilot plant equipment such as injectors, mixers/tumblers, stuffers, smokehouse/ovens, etc.  May also require the ability to troubleshoot equipment challenges.
• Participate in Company training for cross functional team members based on scientific principles and processing best practices.
• Acts as a technical resource for various corporate and production professionals on ingredient, formula, and processing challenges as well as customer/consumer questions/complaints. The ideal candidate will be able to seek input and gain buy-in for implementing solutions.
• Use various software platforms in formulating, collecting data, and documenting research and/or project work such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint as well as Compass, Optiva, and Tracegains.
• Work independently and/or as part of a cross functional team to identify opportunities within our businesses to plan research, collect data, and communicate recommendations to improve our existing formulas, processes, and policies. 
• Coordinate plant tests at various locations with production professionals and management personnel, document processes and results, and present recommendations for implementing new or modified product formulas and/or processes.  May required to work with plant personnel to establish equipment settings and address operational challenges.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Meat Science, or related field is required
• Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team in R&D Austin, MN
• Must be a Citizen or National of the United States, a lawful, permanent resident, or have authorization to work in the United States
• Applicants must not now, or in the future, require sponsorship for an employment visa

Preferred:

• A M.S. or PhD degree in Food Science, Meat Science, or related field.
• Prior experience with refrigerated and/or shelf-stable consumer foods.
• Ability to manage and achieve positive results in areas of food safety, productivity, product quality, and cost savings.
• Experience in performing tasks or related work in a production environment. 
• HACCP knowledge and processing experience with food processing equipment. (injectors, mixers/tumblers, ovens/smokehouse).

LOCATION: Austin, MN Relocation assistance is available.

TRAVEL: 10-20%

BENEFITS: Hormel Foods offers an excellent benefits package. Competitive base salary plus target incentive, discretionary annual merit increase, annual performance review, medical, dental, vision, non-contributory pension, profit sharing, 401(k) immediate eligible, stock purchase plan, relocation assistance, paid personal time (PTO), FREE two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more.

At Hormel Foods, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range.  The base hiring pay range for this role is between $73,000-$135,000 per year, and your actual base pay within that range will depend upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skill set, level of experience, and geographic market location. 

At Hormel we invite difference and diversity in all aspects.  We offer a space of support, understanding, and community.  We are committed to the journey!  Learn more about our progress here: https://www.hormelfoods.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion/

Hormel Foods Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.