Extrusion Product Development Scientist/Engineer

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 is located in New Hampton, New York, (Hudson Valley area) and we have 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 $640 million and a market cap exceeding $3.0 billion. The company consists of three business segments: Human Nutrition & Health; Animal Nutrition & Health; and Specialty Products. Balchem employs over 1,400 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

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Extrusion Product Development Scientist/Engineer will work in a lab and manufacturing facility that produces extruded food products. This role is both a strategic and tactical in nature; and is for someone who enjoys the challenge of innovation. Working closely with the members of R&D, the Extrusion Product Development Scientist/Engineer will be managing and/or executing technical projects to meet business initiatives focused on New Product Development, including: new process and product development, process and product improvements, conducting lab scale and bench top experiments, commercialization studies for new products, conducting product characterization studies, applications and performing analytical work. The Extrusion Product Development Scientist/Engineer will also support technical research and customer support on existing and new extruded food product lines.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develop an understanding of and demonstrate the ability to manufacture extruded ingredients as well as other extrusion methods as required by Supervision
• Manages and leads all extrusion product development efforts including formulation, process development, processing capability, and specification development
• Works closely with Operations, QA and commercial business partners to develop and test product development solutions for new product launches and to troubleshoot issues with existing products and processes
• Oversees hands-on pilot scale trials; Create test run conditions to observe how manufacturing equipment operates according to design or modification and to determine if the process is carried out consistent with required specifications and quality control standards; make any required changes to equipment and/or processes involved to ready the operation for full scale production
• Leads scale-ups and commercialization of all extruded products to commercial scale manufacturing
• Oversee R&D technical functions such as sensory, shelf life testing, legal label claims, product specifications, and nutritionals
• Establish new analytical methods to study the characteristics of extrusion food ingredients
• Screens past and current production samples to establish a baseline for key physical, sensory and functional attributes of Balchem products; Troubleshoot production problems relating to raw materials, equipment, and/ or processing conditions; Document findings
• Assists in the preparation of presentations and reports to communicate results internally and externally (customers)
• Understands regulatory requirements and work to ensure compliance
• Follows and enforces all safety policies and procedures including use of safety equipment (PPE) and equipment safeguards; Works to advance and promote the safety culture of the site
• Performs other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:

• BS degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field required
• 5-7 years of experience in process or product development and commercialization, with a focus on extrusion technologies
• 5 years of bench-top laboratory, formulation, and pilot plant experience preferred
• Excellent communication, influencing, and problem-solving skills
• Highly self-motivated individual comfortable working individually and able to manage multiple tasks and projects efficiently within the context of a fast-paced, busy environment
• Ability to apply prior learning or scientific principles to new situations
• Ability to exhibit a collaborative mindset and apply innovative solutions are a must
• Knowledge of Food Safety, HACCP preferred

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Lab & plant environment

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.

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