R&D Technologist

Job Summary:  

Ornua Co-operative is an international dairy business headquartered in Ireland, world-renowned for its grass-fed dairy products and the proud owner of the Kerrygold brand. Ornua has a strong culture, dedicated to sustainable growth, fast paced innovation and development of its people. Ornua Ingredients North America (OINA) is a subdivision of Ornua and is a leading B2B supplier of cheese innovation.

OINA has an exciting opportunity to join its Research and Development team.  Our Scientists/Technologists collaborate closely with our customers, suppliers and their Ornua teammates worldwide to identify and implement best practice, to develop and commercialize cutting edge solutions for everyday problems and to participate in platform technology development.

Principal Duties:

Demonstrate sound understanding of the science and technology utilized by Ornua Ingredients North America.

1. Support R&D experiment with new approaches and methods and documents the research process
2. Support and sometimes lead development of new products and product re-formulations, effectively translating them from pilot plant to production floor.
3. Perform hands-on benchtop evaluations of OINA products in all food applications.
4. Ensure all product testing meets analytical, application and functional performance per customer requirements
5. Continually help in investigating new ingredients, technologies and equipment for producing, safe, high quality food products more cost efficiently
6. Maintain lab records on formulas, ingredients and standard operating procedures for department and new product developments, including logging of all incoming materials to be used in production of sample products
7. Maintain peer-to-peer contact with our suppliers’ R&D Departments.
8. Conduct on-going sensory/organoleptic analyses of Ornua products as required
9. Organize and execute customer presentations and trade shows.  Be on site as needed to explain usage and show examples of product, applications, and capabilities
10. Work with the R&D team to maintain a clean and orderly lab at all times.
11. Support the Food Scientists with lab or pilot duties
12. Support the team with RedZone data collection

Other Duties:

1. Demonstrate adherence to the site’s Safety and GMP practices
2. Attend monthly facility Safety training
3. Assist with appropriate Risk Assessments upon request
4. Assist with appropriate Accident/Incident Investigations and Right-to-Refuse Investigation

Taste testing dairy products

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. Knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points applications to a food plant a plus
2. Knowledge of State and Federal regulations on Cheese Manufacture and Production a plus
3. Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational and written skills
4. Lean Six Sigma experience/certification a plus

Required Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree minimum in Dairy Technology and/or Manufacturing. Other areas of study to be considered: Food Science and Nutrition, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering
2. Minimum 1-2 years of experience in Dairy R&D and/or Dairy Processing
3. Must have valid driver’s license with flexibility to travel and visit customers up to 10-15% of the time
4. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. as needed
5. Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to travel to grow eventually grow into leading Customer facing NPD projects.

CLOSING DATE FRIDAY APRIL 4TH, 2025

Ornua Ingredients North America is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S.  We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an Employment Visa at the time.

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