Kinder’s is seeking an experienced Food Scientist who is passionate about being part of a team of hard-working people focused on bringing the future of flavor to consumers everywhere.

We are a fast-growing company working hard to bring amazing flavor solutions that are as exciting and delicious as they are simple to use whether they are experienced cooks or first-timers in the kitchen. We are obsessed with quality and are 100% committed to being the most innovative company in any market we serve. Our mission is to bring awesome flavor to consumers whenever and wherever they are looking for it and whatever they are looking for it in (seasonings, sauces, gravy, marinades, or anything else we can come up with). We have experienced tremendous growth over the last 5 years, but we think we are just getting started. We love our consumers and are fired up to be part of their flavor journey. And we need more great folks to help us continue to raise the bar for what they think is even possible in their own kitchens.

Today, we have over 100 products sold nationwide at retailers including Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, Safeway and many more. While we have been around for over 75 years, we have experienced explosive growth in the last 5 years and are now a top 5 brand in the U.S. in multiple flavor categories including seasoning blends, BBQ sauce, and wing sauce. To keep our momentum rolling, we need more passionate flavor advocates and builders to come and join our team and help us reach every kitchen across the U.S. and maybe even the world.

How you'll have an impact at Kinder’s: 

The Food Scientist provides technical support for all food product development activities for sauces and/or seasoning/rub projects from concept through commercialization. Emphasis on bench-top formulation for innovation and renovation projects, product cuttings, and documentation.

What You'll Be Doing:

• With guidance, design and execute product development innovation, renovation, cost optimization and quality initiatives. Follow-through on product refinements based on PD, Marketing, and Customer feedback.
• Leverage vendor capabilities and co-packers to expand formulation possibilities, new ingredients, product technologies and to increase speed to market.
• In conjunction with Culinary Team, manage internal cuttings including coordinating sensory panels, tabulating results, and providing guidance on product development.
• Optimize product formulations based on nutritional guidelines and cost constraints.
• With PDM, support new product launches including plant trials and start of production at contract manufacturers. Confirm specifications are met for product. With process engineer, confirm specs are met for package, and process. Coordinate logistics for plant trial unique raw materials and sample delivery/acquisition.
• Design and conduct shelf-life stability testing for new products.
• Develop regulatory information related to label compliance including nutritional and ingredients (TLC’s). Substantiate product claims such as organic, Non-GMO, gluten-free.
• Support food safety and quality processes by: supporting audits for raw materials and contract manufacturers, evaluating first production samples, and providing input on food safety policies, standards, and procedures for product, packaging, and process changes.

What You Bring to the Table

• B.S. in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or a similar discipline.
• 4-7 years of experience as a Food Scientist or in Product Development.
•  Knowledge of food manufacturing, formulation and ingredient functionality for sauces.
• Some understanding of food safety and microbiology.
• Some knowledge of packaging technology to evaluate adequacy of packaging.
• Some knowledge of food labeling regulations.
• Some knowledge of sensory evaluation procedures.
• Excellent time management skills, sense of urgency, and desire to complete all assignments on a timely basis.
• Must be able to travel up to 20% of time.

Personal Characteristics

• Thrive in a dynamic, lean, and agile environment.
• Self-starter who takes initiative and speaks their mind.
• Excited to be part of a fast-moving team with the ability to be a leader and a follower.

Things About the Way We Work:

• No two days here are the same.
• We try to be good team members and good communicators, but we don’t live by hierarchy and structure – everyone is a difference maker here.
• We make a lot of decisions in the face of incomplete information – our team embrace ambiguity and tries to make good decisions fast rather than great decisions slow.
• We believe our job is to take smart risk, not to eliminate risk.
• We believe in growing our skills and becoming a better company with more managerial expertise, but we are an entrepreneurial company at heart.
• We aren’t trying to be average – we want to do exceptional things and we are willing to work hard to achieve them.

Location & Travel

The position will be based out of our 20,000 sq. foot office in Walnut Creek, CA. This role requires being onsite full-time outside of travel. We strongly believe in the power of culture and community and encourage collaboration and personal connections that will allow us to better serve our customers and consumer and to have more fun.

Posted On: Monday, September 23, 2024
Compensation: $100,000-$115,000 + bonus