R&D Associate Food Technologist

Be part of the Kayem Foods family!

We are an agile organization with a passion for our craft and meeting the needs of both our consumers and customers. As the largest meat processing company in New England, we are looking to drive significant growth through expansion and marketing investment.

To make this happen we need equally passionate and curious people who are driven to make an impact!

Position Summary

We are currently recruiting an Associate Food Technologist to join our R&D team as we take the company to the next level of growth.

In this position, you will report to the R&D Process Manager, and be responsible for supporting a variety of projects, including plant trials, collaboration with our two manufacturing facilities, suppliers, and co-packers, applying technical expertise and product development skills.

Where You’ll Work

This is full-time role based out of our Chelsea, MA headquarters.

What you’ll do :

• Actively contribute to the development of high-quality food products, from initial benchtop formulations to full-scale production
• Conduct product tests on the production floor as part of flavor development and scale up
• Assist in the scale-up and commercialization of a wide variety of food products in co-pack contract manufacturing locations
• Assist in solving technical problems related to the development, manufacturing, and / or improvement of food products and processes
• Demonstrate ability to learn new technologies and take part in any new process development
• Ability to troubleshoot technical, formulation and processing issues during pilot plant and factory runs
• Provide comprehensive product documentation to enable smooth commercialization and assist in training of plant personnel
• Draft product specifications and maintain a specifications database
• Coordinate product testing at external laboratories, analyze data from microbiological, chemical, and physical tests, develop protocols, and manage shelf-life studies
• Utilize Flavor Studio labeling software proficiently for label creation and to facilitate shelf-life assessments
• Support product evaluations and approvals by organizing surveys and IHUT tests involving broader participation outside of the R&D department

What you will need :

• B.S. in Food Science, Food Engineering, Culinary or similar scientific discipline is required
• 2 - 4 years of food manufacturing experience, meat industry experience is preferred
• Knowledge of product development, understanding ingredient functionality, and food system dynamics
• Formulation skills and understanding of meat processing
• Manufacturing & processing experience with an understanding of raw materials & production processes for maximizing the effective manufacture of goods
• Knowledge of GMP's (Good Manufacturing Practices), HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) and other appropriate industry and government agency guidelines and regulations as needed
• Good critical thinking skills with an ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• A good problem solver, able to identify, interpret and analyze the correct data, and assist in providing detailed directions to development projects
• Analytical skills, along with good math & computer skills
• Ability to easily adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic business environment
• Strong oral and written communication skills in order to communicate with all departments
• Organizational skills and a high attention to detail, both in written documentation and verbal clarity

Company summary :

It all started in 1909 when Kazimierz Monkiewicz began making his handmade sausages in Chelsea, MA. Now over 100 years later, Kayem Foods is a 4th generation family owned and operated company still headquartered in Chelsea, MA.

Kayem is the largest processed meat company in New England specializing in natural casing and skinless franks, fully cooked and fresh sausage, dinner hams and deli meats.

The company markets 13 national, regional, and local brands including al fresco all natural, the #1 brand of chicken sausage in the U.

S. and Kayem, the #1 brand of Franks in New England.

Today, Kayem operates plants with cutting edge technology and stringent USDA, ISO 9000 & BRC quality standards but we still retain our "Old World" philosophy and vision.

For over a century, Kayem has been owned by the same family, employing many other families for multi-generations, still in its hometown of Chelsea and still manufacturing & delivering freshly made convenient, wholesome, and delicious foods to its most valued customers.

Some things are too good to change.

Kayem offers competitive wages and benefits to full time employees. Kayem benefits include :

• Healthcare Insurance, and Dental (pre-tax and effective first day of employment)
• Vision (pre-tax and effective the 1st day of the month after start of employment)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan (Health Care Reimbursement and Dependent Care (effective 1st day of employment)

Reimbursement)

• Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (effective 1st day of employment and no cost to employee)
• Safe Harbor 401(K) Retirement Plan (with employer matching contributions of up to 3% plus 50% of your contributions up to 5%)
• Vacation Pay, Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays
• Education Reimbursement (eligible after 6 months of continuous employment and up to $3,000 for career development)
• Opt-Out Medical Rebate, Doctor on Demand, and Wellness Initiatives for those who are eligible!

Please NO staffing agencies or external recruiter calls)