Food Technologist

Food Technologist - Kenny's Candy & Confections Our Coolest Benefit - Profit Sharing! In our most recent fiscal year, KLN Family Brands paid out over $5 million in profit-sharing to our employees!!! Our Story KLN Family Brands is a 3rd generation family-owned business that started in 1964 with its corporate headquarters located in Perham, MN, in the heart of MN lakes country.
Together, our companies manufacture a diverse and expanding range of high-quality human and pet food products.
At KLN Family Brands, our vision is that “We are a proud people-first company.
We are successful because of trust-based relationships, and first-rate products for our families and friends.
We better the world by caring for others.
We challenge.
We grow.
We inspire.
” Some companies have to “fudge the story” a little.
Some need the extra “spin” to shine a positive light on themselves.
That’s not who we are at KLN Family Brands, and that’s not what we do.
We tell the story of our brand – our people, the quality of our products, our spirit & moxie, our tradition, and the way we treat our community & beyond.
We do it in a genuine way because we genuinely believe we’re a pretty amazing company.
We’re now hiring a Food Technologist for our team at Kenny’s Candy & Confections.
A successful candidate will be responsible for the creation of new product formulations.
If you’ve been looking for a position where you can exhibit your passion for creating new formulas, then keep reading.
You may have just stumbled upon the perfect role! The Opportunity As the Food Technologist you will work closely with the whole KKC leadership team but largely with our R&D manager and Food tech team.
You will be responsible for developing and/or improving products through formulation, process management and regulatory needs/changes.
You will also be apart of maintaining or developing new customer and supplier relationships for Kenny’s Candy and Confections.
The responsibilities of the position are listed below.
Your Responsibilities Gather and prepare material for benchtop samples Prepare and represent Kenny’s Candy & Confections with customers, trade organizations, and trade meetings and conventions Formulate with new and existing raw materials to develop high-quality sustainable products Request new raw materials for benchtop samples/applications as needed Review new and existing raw materials for functional, nutritive, regulatory and process-ability.
Identify customer needs regarding flavor, nutrition, label claims, etc.
& apply to formula Identify and communicate formula limitations (MOQ, cost, lead times, processing concerns) to appropriate sales representative or appropriate department.
When applicable, work with R&D Application Specialist to complete benchtop samples and collect data needed for future samples or to scale formula for production Label, organize & retain benchtop samples for further review and shelf life if needed Modify current formulations to make any changes as directed by management teams Coordinate, manage, monitor, and document plant trials and first production runs Ability to transfer formulas from benchtop to production line trial Provide paperwork & verbal instructions to production team members to run trial Work with R&D Application Specialist & quality department to collect data, and samples during production line trials and first production runs Identify and report product and processing limitations to appropriate department.
Report, organize and file collected data & labeled samples for future reference & shelf life analysis if needed Maintain nutritional and labeling database and proof labeling information Work with R&D Application Specialist to enter new raw materials and formulas into Genesis nutritional software.
Review first draft tentative nutritional labels when necessary Create, proof, and review nutritional panels for packaging Communicate with department heads, customers, and suppliers to discuss and resolve quality issues Prepare all necessary reports as required by customers, suppliers and departments Communicate with sales team on project timelines and updates Communicate with R&D Team and other departments how proposed formulation change will help to achieve the goal Qualifications A BS degree in Food Science or 5 years manufacturing experience in Food Science Some experience in new product development and formulations Self-Motivation Basic computer skills Excellent communication and organization skills Ability to work well with others