Research And Development Specialist

Job Description

Job Description:

North Country Smokehouse is looking to have an R&D Specialist join our team in our Claremont, NH location. This position will create new products for customer specific requests or improve current products; while utilizing the most up to date science and technology to improve the quality and consistency of the facilities existing products, through education of employees, testing of product, conducting shelf-life studies, and reacting to trends of the facility. This position requires previous R&D experience.

This is a full-time salaried position with a generous benefits package including medical, dental, vision, accident, STD, LTD and Life, after 90 days. After 1 year company matched 401K plan along with profit sharing.

We also offer generous PTO (paid time off), and 8 paid Holidays (including the day after Superbowl).

Duties:

· Identify the scope of the project. Type of project, customer or internal requirements, any special requirements or timeframes.

· Maintain accurate and organized records of each test from conception to full scale production.

· Be actively involved in the production environment for each stage from kitchen processing through creating sample labels, and shipping to customers.

· Be the main point of contact to the customer once the introduction has been made.

· Conduct organoleptic tastings to move in the appropriate direction to achieve the desired results.

· Communicate with all relevant employees or customers for each stage of the process from kitchen processing to shipping of the first order. Obtaining signed acknowledgement sheets from each department involved prior to the first production run.

· Follow up with the customer, after each test batch, and first production batch.

· Ensure all timelines are met or communicated to the appropriate people if there are delays.

· Work directly with QA department to ensure all recipes, and label claims meet all regulatory and food safety requirements.

· Applies and enforces all company regulations, policies and procedures (HACCP, SQF, HR, OHS, GMP, etc.)

· Ensures all specifications and procedures for quality assurance and control are met

Qualifications:

· College degree strongly preferred in meat or food science.

· At least 5 years' experience working in R&D

· Prior meat processing experience a plus

· Equipment understanding

Skills:

· Highly detail oriented and meticulous

· Med-advanced level computer skills

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills

· High level of personal responsibility and ownership

· Strong commitment to teamwork and concern for others (promote a team-building environment)

North Country Smokehouse has been making some of New England’s finest artisanal meats and cheeses since 1912. Our authentic charcuterie features only the best hand-selected natural ingredients, traditional cure recipes, and a small batch smoking process over embers of local hardwoods. These mouthwatering delicacies are available through discerning retailers and wholesalers and can also be custom crafted for professional kitchens. As one of the country’s last family-owned smokehouses, we are proud that our products continue to be featured on five-star restaurant menus nationwide.