Food Scientist

Company: balchem
Location: Defiance
Posted on: May 7, 2025

Job Description:

COMPANY OVERVIEW:
Balchem Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets specialty ingredients that improve and enhance the health and well-being of life on the planet, providing state-of-the-art solutions and the finest quality products for a range of industries worldwide. Our corporate headquarters located in Montvale, New Jersey, with a broad network of sales offices, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers, primarily located in the US and Europe. Founded in 1967, Balchem is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ - "BCPC") with annual revenues over $922 million and a market cap exceeding $5.0 billion. The company consists of three business segments: Human Nutrition & Health; Animal Nutrition & Health; and Specialty Products. The Human Nutrition & Health segment delivers customized food and beverage ingredient systems, as well as key nutrients into a variety of applications across the food, supplement, and pharmaceutical industries. The Animal Nutrition & Health segment manufactures and supplies products to numerous animal health markets. Through Specialty Products, Balchem provides specialty-packaged chemicals for use in healthcare and other industries, also providing chelated minerals to the micronutrient agricultural market. Balchem employs 1,300 people worldwide who are engaged in diverse activities, committed to developing the company into global market leadership positions. To learn more about our dynamic, stable, and growing company, visit www.balchem.com

POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Manager of R&D-Powder Systems Product Development & Applications, this position will support business initiatives to develop innovative products and to expand existing product lines to promote new business growth opportunities for customers. Provide leadership in a team environment and actively contribute ideas and technical expertise in various processing operations, such as wet and dry batching, spray drying and manufacturing scale-up / trouble- shooting. Effectively communicate features and benefits of Company's product lines in various end applications, along with delivering presentations to customers, sales, and internal audiences. Plans, coordinates, and completes customer-oriented projects through but not limited to the following: formula concept, lab development, pilot plant, and production scale. This position is expected to take on projects with significant technical challenges. Ability to work cross- functionally to meet project goals and timetables; ensure diligence in development, scale up, and commercialization of products to drive innovation and deliver on business goals is required. Travel and relocation may be necessary.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

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• Lead and champion a culture of safety. Work safely and professionally complying with all company policies and procedures.
  
• Demonstrates knowledge & proficiency in product/process development and innovation.
  
• Drives change in a complex, fast-paced business environment. Ability to learn quickly and provide appropriate guidance.
  
• Conceptual, creative, analytic problem solving. Ability to break down complex issues and simplify by focusing on what matters. Proven history, delivering exceptional results.
  
• Leverage technical and functional expertise to solve broader business issues.
  
• Understand the commercialization process with proven experience of its application.
  
• Achieves end-to-end success taking ideas from concept stage to marketplace execution.
  
• A professional who believes that the consumer is the starting point for all R&D activities.
  
• Meet with customers and represent Balchem's technology as required.
  
  RESPONSIBILITES:
  
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  • Food science & technology/product development - knowledge and principals of food ingredient interaction and dairy chemistry.
    
  • Conduct process and experimental design along with systems analysis. Report and present in suitable manner to customers and management.
    
  • Provide technical support for business unit, including traveling with sales, when needed, and attending technical/trade conferences. Provide training to Manufacturing & Quality.
    
  • Develop new products for the appropriate group, which includes Formulation, product data and nutritional analysis, specification parameters, label & allergen information, shelf life / storage conditions, and proper instruction for manufacturing process. Develop and identify tests to allow Quality Control to evaluate functionality of new finished goods.
    
  • Perform tests on new samples produced in pilot plant or lab. Evaluate actual compared to predicted results. Complete application testing, as well as other steps for successful project management.
    
  • Perform tests on current commercial production materials as required by customer requests or assist Quality with evaluation of product during investigation of complaints.
    
  • Assist in the process to complete projects in pilot plant, including projects using the steam kettle, homogenizer, spray dryer, agglomerator, or other equipment. Report and evaluate results from experiments.
    
  • Coordinate scale-up from pilot plant to manufacturing by providing onsite manufacturing support for production trials. Collaborate with Technical Development Manager, when needed. Travel as necessary to support operations.
    
  • Work closely with production and quality in technical transfer of new R&D products and/or technologies to full scale production.
    
  • Support Procurement to evaluate alternate raw materials to evaluate suitability for substitution in existing production or new formula development. Maintain relationships with suppliers regarding new or up to date processing technologies.
    
  • Maintain integrity of R&D laboratory environment through accurate test design, set up, good manufacturing & sanitary practices and maintenance of equipment as required.
    
  • Maintain accurate files of all R&D work completed. Maintain all project files and Lab Notebooks as required.
    
  • Complete all required formula/routes in ERP/Microsoft D365. Update weekly CRM/ Salesforce project status and communicate to Commercial or Sales in a timely manner.
    
  • Identify and implement product / process improvement and cost savings projects and sustainability initiatives, as required.
    
  • Assess competitive product lines. Communicate and coordinate project activities via written reports, meetings, presentations, conf. calls, formal reports to the business.
    
  • Organize and assist with conducting sensory analysis with Sensory Development Manager to complete product development projects or as need arises on other projects.
    
  • Participate in ideation sessions to help position Balchem as the industry leader in powder's technology. Stay current with innovative technology and maintain professional contacts with individuals and organizations, such as IFT. Build and maintain relationships with current and potential customers.
    
    
    REQUIREMENTS:
    
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    • Bachelor's degree in food science, Dairy Science, Food Technology & Processing, Food Chemistry/Biochemistry or related science field with formulation, processing/engineering, and microencapsulation experience desired.
      
    • Desire 5 years' minimum experience in new product development & applications with work experience in a food laboratory or food ingredient facility. Experience with spray drying and agglomeration technology preferred. Related Experience will be considered.
      
    • Knowledge with principles of ingredient functionality and interaction, food product and process design (wet/dry blending, spray drying and agglomeration), food science and nutrition, food emulsions, dairy chemistry are essential to successfully perform this job.
      
    • The ability to develop new products from all aspects and to assess analytically, is required.
      
    • An understanding of each piece of processing equipment utilized is required (i.e., steam kettle, mixer, blender, homogenizer, HPP, spray dryer, HTST and agglomerator).
      
    • Ability to conduct scientific experimental lab tests and accurately report results in a manner suitable for presentation to customers and management.
      
    • Collaborative, problem solve, excellent communication and ability to work with minimal supervision, as well as with others are skills required for excellent job performance.
      
    • Detail oriented and multitasking is necessary, keeping supervisor always informed.
      
    • Complete computer skills required (Microsoft office, Genesis, ERP system-D365 etc.).
      
    • Normal Lab and Office environment. However, must be able to travel as needed.
      
    • Must be able to work in production environment for scale up and troubleshooting.
      
    • Must be able to work on their feet for extended periods in lab, pilot, or plant. May be required to lift / carry large boxes at times. Work environment may be noisy, wet, or slippery and hot at times.
      
    • Advanced problem solving and evaluation capabilities. Excellent written and verbal communication and collaborative skills allowing effective interactions with Marketing, Operations/Manufacturing, Quality/Regulatory Compliance and Senior Management
      
      
      #IN
      Balchem is committed to a workplace culture that values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equal employment opportunities, and a work environment free of harassment and hostility.PI4f251feff2b8-37820-37561396

Keywords: balchem, Fishers , Food Scientist, Other , Defiance, Indiana