Job Details
Position Overview:
The Principal Development Scientist - Edible Casing Technologies is responsible for leading the development of new cellulose-based products, particularly focusing on edible sausage casings. The key responsibilities include project management, technical leadership, collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, and ensuring successful scale-up from laboratory to pilot and full-commercial production. The ideal candidate is expected to have a strong background in chemistry, hands-on chemical/process development experience, and expertise in areas such as surface chemistry, cellulose chemistry, and analytical methods. This is an exciting opportunity to pioneer innovative edible casings product development!
Essential Functions:
Technical Leadership and Project Management:
- Provide leadership in new product development and implementation of novel technologies for edible sausage casing.
- Develop project plans, conduct lab/development tests, collect and analyze data, and formalize results in technical reports.
- Qualify new raw materials and validate finished product prototypes.
Team Guidance and Direction:
- Guide and direct non-reporting teammates on critical projects, ensuring effective collaboration and project success.
Utilizing Company Core Knowledge:
- Leverage existing company knowledge in regenerated cellulose casing technologies to create an edible casing analog to edible collagen.
Technology Identification and Validation:
- Identify new technologies and develop/validate testing methodologies, collaborating with the Quality and Corporate Analytical group to translate them into routine quality control methods.
Regulatory Coordination:
- Coordinate regulatory evaluations for allowing selected designs as a Food Ingredient in both the US (Food Contact Notification) and EU (Novel Food) markets.
Technology Transfer and Validation:
- Work with Operations and Quality groups to facilitate and validate the transfer of developed casing technologies and production/quality methods to pilot and full-commercial production.
Collaboration and Market Adaptations:
- Collaborate with internal Applications groups, Sales, and external customers to identify opportunities for product enhancements and adaptations for other market applications.
Management Reporting:
- Prepare and present project updates for management review as requested.
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry is required; advanced degree preferred. BS/MS considered with a strong demonstration of additional relevant experience.
Minimum Requirements
- Minimum five (5) years of industrially relevant hands-on chemical/process development. e.g. coatings technologies, paper processing, cellulose/rayon technologies, chemical sensors, printing inks/technologies, etc.
- Chemistry Disciplines: Advanced knowledge and practical experience in general lab operations, laboratory safety, and functional organic chemistry.
- Specialized Knowledge: Functional knowledge in surface chemistry/surface science, cellulose chemistry, analytical methods (e.g., FTIR), design of experiments, and food ingredient development strongly desired.
- Communication and Presentation: Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to distill complex data for technical and non-technical audiences.
- Technical Proficiency in MS Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and remote meeting technologies (e.g., MS Teams).
- Supervisory Experience: Direct supervision of laboratory staff experience.
- Collaboration Skills: Experience in working effectively with production and quality personnel.
- Sponsorship now or in the future is not available with this position.
About Us
Viskase is a global powerhouse in the food packaging industry, renowned for delivering top-tier artificial casings and a comprehensive range of casings and nettings. With a remarkable legacy spanning over a century, Viskase has consistently revolutionized the meat processing sector. Notably, the company is responsible for manufacturing 30% of the world's hot dog casings, underscoring its dominant position in this market. What sets Viskase apart is its extensive global presence, boasting 11 manufacturing facilities and 9 sales offices strategically located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, Poland, and the Philippines.
Viskase Companies Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities