Hiring for Junior Food Research Technologist at North Kingstown, RI Full Time

JOB TITLE: Jr. Food Research Technologist

DEPARTMENT: ARC (Analytical Research Center)

REPORTS TO: Principal Scientist

LOCATION: Cranston, Rhode Island

About Finlays (www.finlays.net)

Finlays is the world’s largest independent provider of high-quality tea extracts and aromas; our global extraction facilities are capable of producing an extensive portfolio of products suiting different applications and markets. From a ‘garden fresh’ green tea extract, with leaf plucked and extracted in the heart of our tea estates in Kenya, giving a fresh, delicate tasting product – or to our extract plant in Chile – for a strong black tea extract, from leaf grown on our estates in Argentina, giving a rich tasting and intensely colored product.

DESCRIPTION:

Finlays USA is looking for a food research technologist based on Finlay’s global analytical and research center located in Lincoln, RI. This position reports into the Principle Scientist Analytical Science and Sensory, and will support a small team in the delivery of science based and data driven information to our global operations and commercial teams. Working collaboratively in this team, the incumbent will perform laboratory duties and chemical analyses, and participate in sensory activities. Finlays offers a multicultural working environment and enjoyable work culture. We are looking for an individual that performs all duties in accordance with Finlay’s operating procedures, and our Always Safe program to deliver our vision and mission.

The successful candidate should be able to:

• Conduct basic and applied research and perform essential laboratory analytical testing, including LC/MS analysis, HPLC analysis, GC/MS analysis, and protein testing (training will be provided).
• Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment. Develop and validate various analytical testing procedures.
• Maintain laboratory consumables inventory through ordering necessary items in a timely manner to prevent interruptions in analysis capabilities.
• Update and create laboratory SOPs and SDSs as they relate to analytical methods.
• Work directly with plant personnel and the engineering team to improve current systems and technologies.
• Work closely with the product development team to provide input, and contribute to creative testing methods as they relate to product quality and shelf-life stability.
• Work safely, complying with the requirements for hazardous chemical management, and in accordance with our Finlays Always Safe program.
• Work collaboratively with the scientists in the ARC team, delivering the team objectives and goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Conduct basic and applied research regarding tea, coffee, botanical, and herbal extraction and their products.
• Perform essential laboratory analytical testing.
• Work with the operation team for processing improvement.
• Work closely with other group technical team members, participating where applicable in Group meetings and working groups.
• Lead on stability and shelf life studies of tea and coffee.
• Work in accordance to the SOPS for the ARC laboratory, including but not limited to laboratory management, equipment calibration and housekeeping Keep the lab environment clean (good housekeeping) and calibrate laboratory equipment.
• Work with various departments to provide proper technical feedback.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

• Liaise with other Finlay technical locations to share and disseminate knowledge.
• Work with external food industry experts.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• BS in Food Science, Chemistry or related field.
• 0~2 years of food industry experience (Entry level position), with a working knowledge of food science and chemistry.
• Experience of working in a laboratory, with testing and calibration knowledge, ideally in an R&&D environment, would be an advantage.
• Experience with analytical techniques such as titration, gas and liquid chromatography, distillation, spectroscopy, would be an advantage.
• Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Powerpoint and Word) a strong advantage

QUALIFICATIONS

• A qualification in food and beverage application would be an advantage
• A qualification in laboratory management would be an advantage

SKILLS and BEHAVIOURS

• Excellent verbal and writing skills, including scientific report writing
• Critical thinking skills
• Communication skills, being able to communicate clearly in meetings
• A team-oriented, able to work collaboratively in a team
• Detail-oriented, able to work accurately with numbers and detail

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Laboratory and Plant environment
• Handling of some hazardous chemicals