Associate Food Scientist

At Zentis - We are Fruit Masters!Zentis is Europe's number one fruit processing company and one of the leading brand manufacturers of jams, sweets, and custard-based desserts. The Company's North America operations are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Plymouth, Indiana, where we produce fruit and dairy preparations for a variety of customers including yogurt, ice cream and bakery manufacturers. We are currently looking to recruit an Associate Food Scientist for our Philadelphia location.The role of Associate Food Scientist is a customer-driven individual responsible for development of fruit preparations, sauces, and other novel products primarily for the dairy industry. This individual must develop flavor and aroma acuity for different profiles through regular taste evaluation and be able to understand and communicate all aspects of chemical, physical, and sensory parameters of fruit preparations and finished yogurt. The Associate Food Scientist must also be able to manage multidisciplinary projects (ingredient substitution, process optimization, flavor duplication, new product launches, etc.) and develop, with manager’s guidance, effective project management practices.Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential. The Associate Food Scientist will be expected to build relationships internally (technicians, production operators, quality, regulatory, sales, and purchasing) as well as externally (customers’ scientists). The Associate Food Scientist will develop and execute workflow for technicians through strong communication and organization of project activities. Additionally, the individual should be able to coordinate scale-up trials with other functions in the organization and train new employees (technician and/or entry-level scientists) in internal processes and systems.Additionally, the individual should be able to provide overall project management by communicating timelines and facilitating open communication internally as well as with the customer to accomplish objectives.Primary Responsibilities:Develop fruit preparations, sauces, and similar products that meet all technical, chemical, and organoleptic qualities that a customer requires.Understand and communicate all aspects of chemical, physical, and sensory parameters of fruit preparations and finished product such as yogurt, ice cream, baked product, or other as required. Be able to use and maintain analytical tools and equipment.Manage multidisciplinary projects (ingredient substitutions, process optimization, flavor duplication, etc.) with assistance from Manager when needed.Coordinate and follow internal trial productions for products still in development (feasibility) and/or pre-commercialization phase based on customer requests. This may occasionally include work outside of normal business hours.Develop relationships internally (technicians, production operators, quality, regulatory, sales, and purchasing) and externally (customers’ scientists).Troubleshoot product issues during production or in-market when related to product design; recommend or make changes to formulations when needed to assure ongoing conformance to customer expectations.Develop market knowledge of dairy products in the industry and keep abreast with technical developments in the fieldFormal Education Required:Degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Engineering or related fieldsSpecific Experience and Key Knowledge Requirements:1 – 3 years in a product development role; hydrocolloid and fruit knowledge a plus.Demonstrated ability to work with people in other internal functions and at customer locationsPositive, action-oriented approach to achieving results through collaborationExperience using formula management applications, such as Qualifax and document management applications such as DMS, SharePoint and others. General familiarity with SAP.Proficiency in Microsoft applications, including development and use of complex spreadsheets and PowerPoint.Comfortable preparing and delivering presentations to customers when required.Proven ability to formulate products based on customer requirements.EOE/M/F/H/V