Sustainability R&D Specialist

Michigan Turkey Producers • Full-time • Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States • $60k - $80k / year • 4m ago

Essential Functions of Role:

Following the organizational mission, this role works to develop company sustainability strategies and performs "hands-on" research and development tasks and responsibilities.

Works with Vice President of Technical Services to develop sustainability programs, protocols and measurements.
Works with cross-functional teams to develop the organization's short- and long-term sustainability strategies
Supports product development and process development activities, leading to new and/or modified products in support of the innovation process of the organization.
Works with Food Safety Manager to provide customer requested documentation in appropriate format.
Assists with preparing a broad range of product prototypes using a variety of resources to bring products from conception to implementation.
Coordinates and carries out product development and process testing activities within the Operations environment.
Collects and records product sensory attributes, yields, throughputs, and process data in support of R&D testing.
Maintains inventories for R&D product samples, ingredients, and supplies.
Prepares product samples and arranges for shipment of samples to meet Sales requests.
Prepares retrieval kits for customer complaint investigations.
Supports process improvement projects including troubleshooting activities where product and process knowledge is necessary.
Assists with the identification and development of process controls and quality assurance limits.
Conducts process and product audits.
Performs other duties or special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in food science, Animal Science or equivalent with an emphasis in sustainability
Ability to think strategically and apply creativity to achieve practical solutions.
Must possess a strong work ethic and be self-motivated.
Must be able to work independently
Must be able to speak, write and understand the English language
Must be able to follow written and verbal instructions
Must be able to implement all rules and procedures established by the SSOP and HACCP programs
Must be able to work safely
Must be able to wear all necessary personal protective wear required while performing role: protective eye wear, ear plugs, hard hat/bump cap, hair net, frock (clothing protector), gloves (plastic/cotton), plastic apron, and all other required PPE.

Physical Qualifications:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must be able to physically perform the essential functions of the role as outlined.
Must be able to operate and use office machines and equipment.
Must be able to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
Must be able to communicate utilizing various office equipment including; telephone, computer, facsimile machine, pager, etc.
Must be able to twist, bend, stand, or sit for 8 hours, or the duration of the shift, in a wet cold environment
Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at one time.

MTP is an EEO employer. MTP is proud to be a drug, and alcohol-free work environment.