Dairy Production Lab Research Food Scientist & Lab Coordinator (Program Coordinator SR) - Utah State University

Overview:

The Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences (NDFS) has an opening for the professional position of Dairy Production Laboratory Food Scientist (Program Coordinator SR). The Gary Haight Richardson Dairy Products Laboratory (DPL) is located in the C. Anthon Ernstrom Nutrition and Food Science building on the Logan campus of Utah State University. The DPL Food Scientist will oversee research and compliance within the DPL, teach labs and short courses and provide trainings for students. The Gary H. Richardson DPL provides learning and discovery opportunities that enhance undergraduate and graduate education in the NDFS degree programs. DPL plays a critical role in strengthening dairy science research program in the NDFS department and the Western Dairy Center. In addition, the DPL facilitates engagement with the dairy food industry, and reflects the department’s commitment to supporting a safe and wholesome food supply through science and innovation. The DPL is approved as a Grade A milk processing operation, and ice cream and other dairy food production occurs throughout the year.

 

The DPL Food Scientist reports to the Department Head of the NDFS Department and will serve on the USU Aggie Creamery advisory council. The USU Aggie Creamery advisory council members report to the Department Head and include the DPL Food Scientist, the Creamery Retail Sales Manager, the Creamery Production Manager, the NDFS Business Manager, and the Creamery Faculty Director or faculty representatives as appointed by the Department Head.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain and develop the Food Safety Plan according to FSMA standards to support continuous improvement in food safety and quality and designate critical tasks for the implementation of the Food Safety Plan to the production and retail managers.
• Conduct trainings to ensure all production employees are trained on food and personal safety measures.
• Report violations of the food safety plan to the Faculty Director and Department Head.
• Conduct biannual mock recalls.
• Oversight of food safety efforts in the Dairy Products Lab including record keeping, allergen handling, microbial control, cleaning and sanitation, etc.
• Facilitate product development and research related to ice cream, cheese, and other dairy products.
• Assist in teaching labs and short courses that are conducted in the Dairy Production Laboratory including NDFS 5040/6040 Dairy Food Manufacturing, as well as other teaching as assigned by the Department Head and commensurate with the successful candidate’s interest and expertise.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulatory, safety and labor standards as befits a food manufacturing and teaching facility.
• Provide opportunities for research, internships, and the training of students and coordinate these training opportunities within the academic programs of the NDFS department.
• Provide community outreach through coordination and oversight of activities such as organizing the dairy food competition of the FFA, Cache Valley Cheese Festival,
• Homecoming parade, tours, etc.
• Learn how to operate all research equipment including cheese, ultrafiltration, yogurt, etc. Assist in the operation of equipment for the purpose of research and teaching.
• Write and maintain SOPs for equipment and processes, including scheduled maintenance for equipment, and designate tasks important in the implementation of SOPs to the production manager.
• Coordinate and schedule the use of equipment in the DPL with faculty, staff, students, and people external to the university who may be attending a short-course or contracting with the DPL for use of equipment.
• Assist in the supplier verification for procurement of milk and other ingredients needed for production of Famous Aggie Ice Cream, Artisan Aggie Cheese and other products produced by the DPL.
• Conduct cost analysis of research and production on a yearly basis and report to the Faculty Director, Department Head, and NDFS Business Manager and other stakeholders of the DPL as identified by the DH.
• Advise and assist with the work of product development teams including the the IMPA (Idaho Milk Producers Association) product development team.
• Ensuring all labeling is up to date and within regulations.
• Coordinate and conduct weekly team meetings and a monthly strategic planning meeting. Follow up on all previous assignments.
• Track all internal donations and coordinate donations with SNAC.
• Cross-train in responsibilities assigned to the ice creams sales manager and production manager.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field plus four years of experience; or a master’s degree in a related field plus two years of experience; or an equivalent combination of education plus experience is required.
• Ability to communicate at a technical and non-technical level, with university faculty, staff, students, and community members.
  Ability to work independently and in team situations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Earned graduate degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, or a related field.
• Experience in an industrial setting involving the manufacture of dairy foods such as ice cream, cheese, pasteurized milk, cream, and yogurt.
• Experience in the business aspects surrounding industrial dairy processing including personnel management.
• Experience in food safety and quality practices in the dairy industry including proper food sanitation and GMPs.
• Experience in designing and conducting scientific research.
• Demonstrated ability in preparing and delivering technical information through formal and informal learning situations.
• Preventive Control Qualified Individual certification.
• Experience in teaching content related to food science, dairy science, and or food safety practices.

Required Documents:

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV"
2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary:Minimum $60,000; Commensurate experience, plus excellent benefitsADA:

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

University Highlights:

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

 

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

 

*updated 04/2024

Notice of Non-discrimination:

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023