Product Development Scientist

General Summary

This position works under minimal supervision and is primarily responsible for the understanding and development of basic to complex colors for specific applications and scaling up in any production facility with the purpose of advancing the growth of Oterra and Food Ingredient Solutions (FIS) by Oterra. The position will have direct relationship with the commercial team, functioning as the technical advisor to the internal salesforce at FIS by Oterra.
The successful applicant will have a strong background in food science, preferably food chemistry. The applicant should have experience with project management, specifically within Product Development, and preferably experienced in interacting cross-functionally with Production, Quality and Sales acting as the technical expert. Experience with analytical chemistry, method development and validation is a plus.

Principal Duties And Responsibilities 

1. Handles simple to complex color formulation projects in a timely manner.  Interacts with external customers, sales, applications scientists, and other departments internally as needed in defining specific parameters for projects.

2. Serves as project manager for simple to complex development projects from conception through launch by following a defined launch excellence process.

3. Develops simple to complex color formulation at a bench level in a timely manner aligned with customer needs.

4. Scales up from bench to any global production facility.

5. Conducts in-person consultation with customers from conception through commercialization in their facilities.

6. Serves as local technical expert for color formulations for the local sales team.

7. Supports production with upscaling and troubleshooting.

8. Maintains safe working environment by practicing and coaching in established safety procedures.

9. Learns and uses processing equipment in lab and pilot with minimal supervision.

10. Provides training for QC and production personnel in new formulations and analytical methods.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

1. B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Food chemistry, Food Science, Pharmaceutical Science or related field with 5+ years of relevant experience.

2. Strong experience with Project and stakeholder management, preferably experience with managing development projects.

3. Deep knowledge of food ingredients and processing. Experience with color ingredients is an advantage.

4. Experience with customer interaction and driving customer projects.

5. General understanding of analytical techniques and food quality and safety.

6. Ability to read, collect data, analyze, and interpret technical information, as well as write and present reports and technical papers.

7. Ability to distinguish colors in a wide variety of applications and media.  Must have excellent color vision.  (Color Vision Testing Required.)

Working Conditions

Working environment is generally favorable.  Lighting, temperature and noise levels are adequate with occasional exposure to cold temperatures.  Personal Protective Equipment is required when working in the laboratory.  This includes a lab coat, and if necessary, safety glasses, dust mask or gloves.  When working in the production plant, a hair/beard net, safety glasses and safety shoes are required and GLP/GMP guidelines must be followed.
The job in onsite in Mt. Pleasant, WI and Travel up to 25% of working time is required.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, talk and hear.  The employee is regularly required to lift and/or move materials or equipment up to 25 lbs. and occasionally required to lift up to 50 lbs.  Use of hands to handle or touch objects, tools or controls is frequently required.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.  Employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals.