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Food Scientist
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KLN Family Brands
Perham, MN (In Person)
$80,000 Salary, Full-Time
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Job Description
Food Scientist - Kenny's Candy & Confections•Onsite in Perham, MN officed out Kenny's Candy Facility•
In our most recent fiscal year, KLN Family Brands contributed over $7.7 million into our employee profit sharing pool!!!Our StoryKLN 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. Thats not who we are at KLN Family Brands, and thats 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 were a pretty amazing company.
The OpportunityThe Food Scientist plays a critical role in driving innovation and ensuring product excellence at KLN Family Brands. This position is responsible for developing new product formulations that align with market trends and consumer expectations, while also supporting the research and development (R D) process from concept to commercialization. The Food Scientist will collaborate cross-functionally to maintain and enhance product quality, consistency, and safety across all stages of production. Additionally, this role involves building and nurturing relationships with both customers and suppliers to support product development, sourcing, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Work with customers to meet their needs regarding flavor, nutritional, and label claims.
Develop new products that follow regulatory and market trends.
Maintain relationships with suppliers and utilize their insight to develop new products and troubleshoot existing issues. Maintain relationships with industry associations and regulatory trends.
Prepare all necessary reports as required by customersDevelop and maintain formulation strategies for existing and new product development includingUnderstanding the synergy between/among functional ingredients.
Understand processing parameters and effects on ingredients.
Understand scale up process from benchtop to production.
Utilize consistent formulation calculations/tools. Support and complete benchtop samples including Support analytical equipment and data collection tools.
Providing and updating R D laboratory tools, utensils, supplies, etcWork with purchasing department/suppliers to ensure necessary materials/ingredients are in house for benchtop samplesRequest necessary paperwork, logistical information and pricing to determine applicability of material for project needs. Organize and retain benchtop and trial samples for further review and shelf life analysisCoordinate, manage, monitor, and document plant trialsUnderstand the transfer of formulas from benchtop to line trialProvide paperwork & instructions to production team to run production line trialsCollect data, samples, and attend to detail during production line trials and first production runsOrganize and file collected data for future referenceWork on current formulations to make any changes as directed by management teamsSupport nutritional and labeling strategy and proof labeling information Determine appropriate nutritional database and maintain administrative relationship.
Work side by side & when necessary provide assistance as needed to other Food Techs and R D Application Specialist. Create first draft tentative nutritional labels when necessaryMaintain proofing standards according to the FDAs Code of Federal Regulations. Proof and review nutritional panels for packagingCommunicate with other department and other R D team members to work strategically through projects Prepare all necessary reports required by department heads Communicate with sales team on project timelines and updatesUtilize change process management project tools to update projects & manage timelines.
Compensation:
Total Compensation Range:
$60,000 to $105,000Base Pay:
$55,000 to $85,000Year 1Bonus Guarantee:
$5,000 to $20,000Profit Sharing Eligibility:
Begins after completing 1 year of employment ($7.7 Million in Profits Paid to Profit Sharing Pool in 2025)Our Coolest Benefit - Profit Sharing!In our most recent fiscal year, KLN Family Brands contributed over $7.7 million into our employee profit sharing pool!!!Our StoryKLN 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. Thats not who we are at KLN Family Brands, and thats 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 were a pretty amazing company.
The OpportunityThe Food Scientist plays a critical role in driving innovation and ensuring product excellence at KLN Family Brands. This position is responsible for developing new product formulations that align with market trends and consumer expectations, while also supporting the research and development (R D) process from concept to commercialization. The Food Scientist will collaborate cross-functionally to maintain and enhance product quality, consistency, and safety across all stages of production. Additionally, this role involves building and nurturing relationships with both customers and suppliers to support product development, sourcing, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Responsibilities:
Prepare for and represent Kennys Candy & Confections with customers, trade organizations, and trade meetings and conventions including:Work with customers to meet their needs regarding flavor, nutritional, and label claims.
Develop new products that follow regulatory and market trends.
Maintain relationships with suppliers and utilize their insight to develop new products and troubleshoot existing issues. Maintain relationships with industry associations and regulatory trends.
Prepare all necessary reports as required by customersDevelop and maintain formulation strategies for existing and new product development includingUnderstanding the synergy between/among functional ingredients.
Understand processing parameters and effects on ingredients.
Understand scale up process from benchtop to production.
Utilize consistent formulation calculations/tools. Support and complete benchtop samples including Support analytical equipment and data collection tools.
Providing and updating R D laboratory tools, utensils, supplies, etcWork with purchasing department/suppliers to ensure necessary materials/ingredients are in house for benchtop samplesRequest necessary paperwork, logistical information and pricing to determine applicability of material for project needs. Organize and retain benchtop and trial samples for further review and shelf life analysisCoordinate, manage, monitor, and document plant trialsUnderstand the transfer of formulas from benchtop to line trialProvide paperwork & instructions to production team to run production line trialsCollect data, samples, and attend to detail during production line trials and first production runsOrganize and file collected data for future referenceWork on current formulations to make any changes as directed by management teamsSupport nutritional and labeling strategy and proof labeling information Determine appropriate nutritional database and maintain administrative relationship.
Work side by side & when necessary provide assistance as needed to other Food Techs and R D Application Specialist. Create first draft tentative nutritional labels when necessaryMaintain proofing standards according to the FDAs Code of Federal Regulations. Proof and review nutritional panels for packagingCommunicate with other department and other R D team members to work strategically through projects Prepare all necessary reports required by department heads Communicate with sales team on project timelines and updatesUtilize change process management project tools to update projects & manage timelines.