Vacancy expired!
Please apply online at www.lundberg.com/employment
Purpose and Key Results of the Position
This role is responsible for managing and maintaining the Lundberg Family Farms Pilot Plant. The Pilot Plant Manager is responsible for maintaining and upgrading, as necessary, pilot or small-scale production capabilities, foundational laboratory capabilities, managing the company-wide shelf life testing program, and being a resource to the companys product improvement efforts. Under the direction of the Vice President of Research and Development, the Pilot Plant Manager will provide a blue sky research environment for innovative ideas involving manufacturing capabilities, product development and product enhancement.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities
Pilot Plant
Utilize facility, staff, and materials to develop targeted new products and develop methods to improve targeted product quality and/or cost for existing products.
Maintain pilot plant facilities including identification of functional needs, location, relationship with landlords (if maintained in leased location), and interface with Lundbergs Facilities Team for ongoing upkeep.
Maintain pilot equipment and lab equipment in good working order which includes training all staff in its proper use and care.
Supervise Pilot Plant staff and ensure they are provided with thorough training in the use of all equipment, operate in a safe manner, and continuously develop and improve their skills.
Interface with Innovation Implementation Manager, Product Commercialization Manager, project leads and manufacturing managers to establish integration strategy from pilot testing to manufacturing.
Oversee the company-wide shelf life testing program, including development and maintenance of testing protocols, coordination of schedules based on project timelines and chamber and lab equipment capacity, and creation and implementation of training for users of the program on services available and necessary requirements.
Provide direction on all research and tests ensuring that the pilot team disseminates results to impacted individuals and departments in a clear and concise manner on a timely basis.
Product Development
Research ideas for new products and work with the Innovation Team to submit them through the companys StageGate process.
Participate as an integral member of the Research & Development Area of Focus, providing scientific, analytical, and technical support to all team members.
Partner with the Vice President of Research & Development and Product Commercialization Manager to support new product development by leveraging pilot capabilities and technical expertise to conduct early pre-development tests.
Assist with key equipment technical assessments to support targeted new product development by working with Engineering and the Innovation Implementation Manager, identifying and selecting equipment as well as developing capital project rationale to support its acquisition.
Research and identify raw materials for future product development projects.
Cereal Science, Small Grain Support
Provide support for the New Products Team, Agriculture, and the Nursery in the area of Cereal Science.
Manage consultation with cereal science experts as needed.
Monitor inventory of quinoa and other small grains as they flow through our system from planting all the way through to finished goods. Assist New Products Team in determining available inventory as new products are investigated that will utilize Lundberg quinoa.
Liaison with academic resources, such as the quinoa and food science programs at Washington State University, regarding their requests of Lundberg and Lundbergs needs from them.
Coordinate with manufacturing, engineering, quality and product developers to improve the full-scale processing lines, or to facilitate outsourcing of processing to third party if deemed the best course of action.
Prepare and present capital requests to leadership team and board as required.
Assist in the incorporation of Lundberg Family Farms grown small grains into existing products.
Consultation
Assist other individuals and departments in gaining access to relevant professional resources to answer questions on product characteristics, equipment performance, processing capabilities, etc., as requested.
Assist others in implementing performance improvement recommendations, as requested.
Consult with Food Technologists in development of products and/or processes to achieve targeted product characteristics cost-effectively, consistent with our companys policies, as requested.
Consultation with Farm and Grower Services staff regarding relationships with grain suppliers used in the companys new products.
Build solid, trusting and valued relationships with other department managers which will facilitate consultation and assistance with projects.
Physio-chemical Analysis
Conduct annual analysis of each years rice crop, documenting protein, amylose, and moisture analysis of each variety grown.
Maintain history of results of each years rice crop physio-chemical analysis.
Share results of analysis with Agriculture, Nursery, Quality, and Manufacturing departments including implications of findings and recommendations.
Perform analysis of incoming ingredients, as requested, providing results and recommendations on the basis of the analysis.
Make recommendations, in consultation with the Nursery and Agriculture departments, regarding optimal rice varieties based on the intended use.
SQF
Establish and validate product formulations through facility trials, shelf-life testing, and/or specification development for assigned projects.
Establish and validate raw materials and packaging materials via trials and specification development.
Initiate requests for new supplier, ingredient and material approvals.
Personnel Management
Ensure compliance of company policies within all local, state, and federal regulations including, but not limited to, OSHA regulations and wage and hour laws.
Conduct annual performance assessments. Coach and develop staff by providing an environment that encourages innovation and professional development.
Draft and administer development plans and provide development opportunities.
Safety
Adheres to safety programs in order to provide a safe and clean workplace for fellow employees within the regulations of all OSHA local, state and federal regulations.
Complete necessary trainings to ensure all Lundberg certifications required for role are maintained as current. Certifications may include, but are not limited to, Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), Back
Safety, Forklift, Arc Flash, Confined Space, etc.
Other
Performs other assignments from time to time as requested by the Vice President of Research & Development to achieve department and company business goals.
Maintain regular attendance in accordance with Lundberg Family Farms Attendance and Punctuality standards.
Complete training required for position and maintain applicable certifications.
Knowledge, Skills and Ability
Understanding of agronomy, industry, and consumer trends in regard to cereal grains and the impact and functionality of grains.
Working knowledge of food safety principals, including allergens, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
Proven ability to develop, implement, and sustain new programs and procedures.
Ability to collaborate with diverse groups, including growers, agriculture, plant operations, engineering, and professional organizations/associations to effectively implement new procedures, resolve issues, and deliver operational efficiency improvements.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Strong leadership skills, self-motivated and self-directed, and capable of taking ownership of projects.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science in Food Science, or a related field with 7 or more years of experience in the food/beverage industry with an emphasis on cereal science related to ingredient functionality and application/product development or 10 or more years of relevant experience.
Must maintain a valid CA drivers license or in the state of residence and meet insurability standards of our auto insurance carrier.
Preferred
Demonstrated experience/achievements in fundamental grain research, product development, and process development.
5 years experience with cereal grain growing/producing, harvesting, storage, milling, and processing.
3 years experience with cereal science related analytical and bench-top equipment and methods, such as huller, whitener, Rapid Visco Analyzer, Stable Micro Systems Texture Analyzer, and Near Infrared Composition Analyzer.
Work Environment
Work areas are inside environment with moderate temperatures and low background noise as well as in areas which may be subject to higher temperatures, high noise levels and dust.
Physical Requirements for Performing Essential Duties
Sitting/Standing/Walking: Approximately 30% of the work time is spent sitting in an office. Approximately 70% of the time is spent standing in or walking around production areas or outdoors reviewing outdoor portion of operations. Periodic travel to co-packers, suppliers, trade shows, and continuing education required.
Speaking/Hearing: Ability to communicate with coworkers and supervisors.
Vision: Ability to effectively visualize the computer screen for long periods of time, read printed materials, observe work processes and inspect machinery.
Lifting/Carrying: Ability to lift, hold, and carry up to 40 pounds for a short period of time or distance.
Stooping/Kneeling: Ability to kneel and/or stoop when required.
Reaching/Handling: Ability to reach and/or handle product and/or equipment when required.
Please apply online at www.lundberg.com/employment
