Associate Food Technologist

About Us:
Since 1935, we’ve been on a mission to bring a little extra happiness to everyday life and inspire connections over food. We select the finest ingredients the world has to offer, craft premium products made with love, and never settle for shortcuts. We believe that when we share our food, we share a part of ourselves — and that’s the only way we’d put our name on it. 

Today, our small family company has grown into a national leader in specialty olives, peppers, and sauces under the leadership of CEO Jeff Mezzetta, and our commitment to quality has never wavered. With an 80-year legacy behind us and a bright future ahead, we’re seeking passionate, driven candidates to help us bring our cherished family traditions to a new generation.

The ideal candidate will have an immediate connection to our Core Ingredients:  

• Crunchy Crunchy: We are hungry for excellence.


• Own It: We think and act as an owner – with appetite, initiative, and responsibility.


• Connection: We build authentic relationships that foster trust and open communications.


• Vibrance: We come to work eager and passionate about fulfilling our vision. When we share our work, we share a part of who we are.

The Associate Food Technologist role will support the development of new products and processes, evaluate and improve the quality of existing products and review their current processes for optimization. The Associate Food Technologist will support R&D, quality, operations, procurement and technical services with projects related to product and process improvement. This entry level position is an amazing opportunity to work in a newly built test kitchen with lots of room for growth. 

The R&D department’s internal customers are Sales, Marketing, Procurement & Manufacturing. Marketing and R&D work together in the development of Mezzetta’s food products. Both departments often work hand in hand to develop a product that will be predictive of its success in the market. Manufacturing is the department’s most important customer. R&D, in this regard, seeks to refine and improve existing manufacturing processes, or to develop new and better ways of making the product. With input from manufacturing, R&D has the potential to reduce costs and increase production efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Develop new products and existing product reformulations, from initial concepts to commercialization.


• Complete supplemental product analytical and sensory testing.


• Provide technical support to R&D on product improvements and collaborate with operations on test runs in production to emulate approved kitchen samples.


• Maintain accuracy of formulations, processes, BOM’s and product specifications.


• Approve new ingredients and suppliers by collaborating with procurement, R&D and QA.


• Conduct research to evaluate the shelf life of new or existing products or test new materials.


• Conduct routine product cuttings and competitive cuttings per schedule with sensory panel.


• Create and ensure accuracy of nutrition facts panels and ingredient declarations for new and/or reformulated products.


• Assess production processes and make recommendations for improvements that are looking to reduce waste or cost or increase quality or profitability.


• Plan and conduct research activities that evaluate new or revised products, ingredients, or formulations for taste, texture, and shelf stability.


• Adjust formulations based on product specifications for production.


• Create and ensure accuracy of nutrition facts panels and ingredient declarations for new and/or reformulated products.


• File for certifications such as Non-GMO, Kosher, Gluten-free, Vegan, etc.


• SQF support.


• Bills of Material Management, maintaining accuracy of formulations, processes and product specifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related sciences


• Minimum 1-2 years experience in the food industry or related field


• Proficient in Excel, Word, and statistical analysis


• Excellent communicator both written and verbal


• Project leader


• Analyzing information


• Product Improvement


• Multitasking/Dealing with complexity


• Reporting research results


• Promoting Process improvement


• Problem solving


• Technical understanding

Our Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace:
At Mezzetta, we embrace diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment where you know you belong. Part of that commitment includes a zero-tolerance policy and being an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at Mezzetta are solely based on merit, qualifications, abilities and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, family or parental status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law. All of us share in the responsibility of fulfilling this commitment and creating a culture where our team can thrive.