Scientist - Applied Research and Ingredients

For over 60 years we’ve been the number one branded player in frozen potato market. When it comes to bringing the nation together at mealtimes with simple, delicious, and great tasting food we’re kind of a big deal!

You won’t just find us in supermarkets though. As well as owning a household retail brand, our respected foodservice business works in close partnership with distributors, chefs and caterers across thousands of the country’s pubs, restaurants, hospitals, and schools.

Our Food Scientists show that there’s more to our fries than meets the eye, getting right under the skin of our potatoes.

ABOUT THE JOB.

The Scientist – Applied Research and Ingredients is a key position within the Applied Technology and Innovation function. The team member is a Subject Matter Expert that brings to life best-in-class innovations in batters and coatings to develop products that are flavorful and crispy, and delight customers and consumers. The position is responsible for managing the application and implementation of often-complex food coating research projects. Project scopes span from global to regional, to deliver the global batters and coatings innovation strategy and R&D technology roadmap.

The Scientist - Applied Research and Ingredients supports technical leaders for batters and coatings research initiatives with accountabilities that impact R&D design-thinking and the development and scale-up of innovation platforms and products. The position utilizes competitive knowledge and understanding of battered and coated products, ingredients, and their key functional attributes and testing methodologies. The position typically collaborates with Product Development, Value Engineering, Technical Services, and the User Experience team.

The Scientist - Applied Research and Ingredients reports to the Manager R&D Applied Research and Ingredients.

Core Accountabilities/Outcomes

* Work on research and innovation in coating ingredients will make our food taste extraordinary and strategically align with demand space objectives and technology roadmap initiatives.

* Propose, prepare, conduct, and direct research. Accountable for ensuring that appropriate and unbiased research is developed, executed, and reported to internal and external stakeholders to help make development decisions and inform smart product and ingredient specifications.

* Manage pilot plant trials and experiments and, where relevant as briefed by the technical lead, ensure consistent process knowledge and safety as a priority.

* Build key internal R&D relationships (PD, sensory, regulatory, nutrition etc.) and communication channels locally, regionally, and globally to enable the sharing of ideas, pipelines, troubleshooting and best practices.

* Build a strong external network including ingredient suppliers, research partners, academic institutions, etc. to ensure McCain is at the forefront of new technology in Food Science and ingredients.

We’re looking for someone…

* Master’s or PhD in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Food Physics, or related disciplines. Relevant work experience showing technical competencies and knowledge in ingredients will be considered for this role.

* Ideally 2+ years relevant CPG industry experience, preferably working on innovation-focused research projects related to food ingredients or coatings at a global organization.

* Experience working with researchers, product developers, ingredient suppliers, open innovation service providers, academia, marketing, and quality/manufacturing. Good understanding of food manufacturing at production scale.

* Strong knowledge of food laws and regulation, including nutritional and ingredient declarations, developing recipes and maintaining detailed up to date R&D documentation.

* Strong project management and decision-making skills, combined with the ability to think strategically and drive projects from development to completion.

* Proven ability to work collaboratively across levels and functions internally and externally.

* Highly motivated, with excellent communication and presentation skills.

* Willingness to travel locally and globally occasionally as needed

What you’ll get in return.

Although we do encourage you to taste the goods you’ll be pleased to know we don’t pay you in chips. For working hard, you’ll also get a great salary and some pretty good benefits including:

* An excellent pension where we will pay double what you do, up to a maximum of 12% of your pay

* Flexible holidays – where you can buy & sell up to 5 days holiday per year

* Private medical insurance scheme

* Optional health cash plan

* Cycle to work scheme

* ‘Chips In’ Volunteering Day Off - to make a positive impact to the competitiveness, resilience, and long-term development of McCain communities across the globe

Where you’ll be working.

We have a culture based on achieving outcomes and with that fully support flexible working. Our Head Office is based in Scarborough, and due to the nature of this role, we would require seeing you from time to time, but as long as the travel is reasonable, we don’t expect you to be based here every day