R&D Technologist - The Jel Sert Company

For nearly a century, The Jel Sert Company has focused on creating high-quality, high-value foods and beverages that help bring people together. Jel Sert is proud of being awarded the Great Place to Work certification for multiple years along with making Fortune's 2024 Great Place to Work in Chicago and Great Place to Work in Manufacturing and Production. We are currently looking for a passionate and dedicated individual to join our team as a R&D TECHNOLOGIST. If you are looking for a work environment that encourages personal growth, responsibility, and a shared vision for creating incredible products that help create lasting memories, then Jel Sert wants you!

The R&D Technologist will be primarily responsible for new/novel ingredient and package material assessments, technical transfer of assessment results (function, limits, interactions, etc.) to cross functional stake holders, and work with formulators on process and ingredient improvements or new process development projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Execute ingredient and/or package material assessments as well as technical transfer to key stake holders.
• Conduct process/product improvement projects on Jel Sert Brands, Licensed Brands, Private Label and Contract products as well as any new product formats developed.
• Maintain documentation such as notes, data bases, specifications, etc.
• Interact directly with vendors and initiate new item integration.
• Assess lab capabilities and work with manager for improvements.
• Be a lab technical leader/mentor for current technicians by way of assisting them in improving their techniques, GLP’s, etc.
• Assist with other projects as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience in the Food and Beverage industry related to product development, ingredient development or food chemistry required.
• Manufacturing experience within the food and beverage and/or pharmaceuticals industry is preferred.
• Knowledge of scientific methods and terminology required.
• Experience with project management software a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

• Must have excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
• Must have strong analytical skills.
• Excellent listening skills and be able to handle multiple requests while detailing project activity.
• Passion for problem solving and new technology evaluation.
• Proactive individual that takes initiative, makes suggestions, and follows up with limited supervision.
• Self-starter that is naturally curious and enjoys working in a fast-paced innovation centric environment.
• Project management, attention to detail and organizational skills

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU - BENEFITS

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• 401(K ) & ROTH Plan with Company Match
• Life Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance
• Paid Time Off plus Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program with comprehensive emotional, financial, physical, and social well-being programs.
• Continuous learning opportunities through various platforms and resources.

PERKS OF WORKING AT JEL SERT!

• Training and Career Development Opportunities
• Referral Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Discounts on our Delicious Products
• Health Club Member Reimbursement
• Interactive Company Culture with Engagement Activities
• Employee Service Awards
• Company Philanthropy
• Close to the Police Station, Metra Station and West Chicago Park District

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally form position to position.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing: perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and having the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and making fine discriminations in sound.
• Repetitive Motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs on an as needed basis
• Ability to climb stairs in order to get to areas of the facility to perform job responsibilities.
• Pushing and pulling of carts on an as needed basis.
• Ability to use senses; taste, touch, smell and sight.
• Close visual acuity to perform activities: preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer terminal, reading, visual inspection of materials, operating laboratory devices, etc.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Office and lab environment with occasional exposure to the plant.

In the lab environment, one will work, from time to time, with hazardous chemicals with supplied safety equipment and is subject to atmospheric conditions such as dust.

FOOD SAFETY and QUALITY RESPONSIBILITIES

Follow applicable procedures and work instructions.

Monitor Quality Control Points (QCP) if Applicable QCCP’s.

Assure compliance with SQF programs.

Backup Product Development Manager and/or Formulations Scientist

IMPACT ON JEL SERT SUCCESS

Efficient and effective development of new products is essential to Jel Sert’s growth and profitability. Continuous improvement of existing processes is critical to optimal capacity utilization and reduction in overall cost of goods sold.