SPD Associate Project Leader

Freshpet Talent Acquisition•Bethlehem, PA

About The Position

At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish our pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives, that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet. We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products but be gentle to the planet, good to the people who touch our business, and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to run our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility. IT’S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH! The SPD Associate Project Leader is responsible for: Manage multiple projects and show technical competence in the planning and completion of assigned projects leading to the development and implementation into production of new or revised products or processes with minimal supervision. Organize and conduct in-person benchtop, pilot plant and production trials. Use independent scientific judgment to analyze results and recommend appropriate next steps. Record, collate, evaluate, and interpret experimental data and make appropriate recommendations to all levels in the organization through written or oral reports. Maintain an accurate laboratory notebook of all intellectual property. Prepare and conduct meeting updates, product cuttings, presentations, shelf-life testing and cost analysis to project team members. Provide necessary technical support to vendors, customers and operations when problems occur with processes and/or products. Provide support to method development in on-site benchtop labs. Document appropriate product information for research purposes and tracking of sample products, including internal and external laboratory results. Prepare samples and perform sensory evaluation of products as well as data analysis. Understand and comply with safety regulations and other procedural compliance regulations. Assure food safety standards with regards to GMPs and HACCP plan are being followed. Follow safety procedures with lock out tag out (LOTO) and exposure to lab equipment and chemicals. When appropriate, supervise technicians, plant personnel and/or interns in the execution of experiments, plant test runs (TPRs) and product commissioning. May at times be required to travel (up to 50%) to test runs, co-packers, suppliers or various training programs. May be focused on the Ennis TX site. Travel expenses will be compensated. The work week is generally M-F based on 8-hour days, often as early as 6AM and as late as 6PM. Developmental projects will require working during times outside of these time frames, including nights and weekends. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of experience in the food/pet food industry required.
Strong technical knowledge in meat/poultry science, meat microbiology, and/or pet food product development are required.
General laboratory experience is required.
Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
Ability to understand formulas, use standard lab equipment and conduct experimental procedures.
Ability to perform standardized duties with careful adherence to testing protocols and SOPs.
Computer skills with proficiency to construct moderately complex graphs and charts, record process parameters and/or formulas, design presentations and evaluate statistical analysis modules.
Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and capacity to multitask efficiently.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work in a team and adapt to a dynamic work environment.
Ability to interact effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization.
Responds well to changing project priorities. Demonstrate a level of adaptability and composure necessary in the development of new products, processes, and/or analytical procedures.
Able to work with fresh raw meats and other food ingredients.
Physically capable of handling or transporting heavy boxes and/or ingredients.
Must be able to withstand cold temperature (38°F) environment during TPRs or other required projects.
Follow established company policies and those outlined in the Employee Handbook.
BS in Food Science, Animal Science or other applicable technical field of study preferred. HS Diploma with minimum of 5 years of progressive technical experience in the food/pet food industry required.
Knowledge and experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP, and other related systems required.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (EXCEL, WORD, etc.) required.

Nice To Haves

Prior project management experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage multiple projects and show technical competence in the planning and completion of assigned projects leading to the development and implementation into production of new or revised products or processes with minimal supervision.
Organize and conduct in-person benchtop, pilot plant and production trials. Use independent scientific judgment to analyze results and recommend appropriate next steps.
Record, collate, evaluate, and interpret experimental data and make appropriate recommendations to all levels in the organization through written or oral reports. Maintain an accurate laboratory notebook of all intellectual property.
Prepare and conduct meeting updates, product cuttings, presentations, shelf-life testing and cost analysis to project team members.
Provide necessary technical support to vendors, customers and operations when problems occur with processes and/or products.
Provide support to method development in on-site benchtop labs.
Document appropriate product information for research purposes and tracking of sample products, including internal and external laboratory results.
Prepare samples and perform sensory evaluation of products as well as data analysis.
Understand and comply with safety regulations and other procedural compliance regulations.
Assure food safety standards with regards to GMPs and HACCP plan are being followed.
Follow safety procedures with lock out tag out (LOTO) and exposure to lab equipment and chemicals.
When appropriate, supervise technicians, plant personnel and/or interns in the execution of experiments, plant test runs (TPRs) and product commissioning.
May at times be required to travel (up to 50%) to test runs, co-packers, suppliers or various training programs. May be focused on the Ennis TX site. Travel expenses will be compensated.
Other duties as assigned.