R&D Food Scientist

Job Description

Role: R&D Food Scientist – Pilot Plant & Production Support

Location: Hugoton, KS - Onsite

Type: Contract

What You’ll Do

Pilot Plant Operations

• Assist in planning and executing pilot plant trials in coordination with R&D project leads.
• Prepare platform and equipment configurations for trials.
• Manage raw material and packaging inventory for pilot activities.
• Support trial execution, including troubleshooting and post-trial cleaning (CIP).
• Collect, format, and analyze trial data from acquisition systems.
• Maintain hygiene, safety, and first-level maintenance of pilot plant equipment.
• Production Support & Industrial Implementation
• Support commissioning of new production lines by verifying process parameters and product specifications.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Engineering, and Operations to ensure smooth product scale-up.
• Participate in factory audits and assist in identifying optimization opportunities.
• Monitor product quality and consistency during production runs and assist in root cause analysis.
• Continuous Improvement & Documentation
• Contribute to shop floor improvement initiatives focused on performance KPIs.
• Help update SOPs and maintain documentation related to pilot plant operations and safety.
• Stay current with food processing technologies and propose equipment upgrades or investments.
• Training & Collaboration
• Assist in training interns and temporary staff on pilot plant procedures and safety protocols.
• Participate in team development activities and technical workshops.
• Support cross-functional collaboration for product launches and renovations.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Bioprocessing, or related field OR 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing operations 
• Internship or academic experience in pilot plant or food manufacturing preferred
• Basic understanding of food processing equipment and hygienic design
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools

Additional Information

 All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.