Title:  Assistant, Food Developer

At WK Kellogg Co, we exist to create joy and connection to inspire Gr-r-reat days. We believe that doing good is always good for business and we have stood for this since Kellogg Company was founded more than 118 years ago. We are passionate about doing our part to make nutritious foods, create social connectivity and respect natural resources. Together, these actions create positive progress for people and the planet – today and for years to come. We have big plans for how we are going to accomplish this, and we would love for you to join us in this effort.

Join our research and development team as an Assistant Food Developer, reporting to the research & development Technical Lead. Our Cereal Research & Development team develops new and improves existing products and processes by applying technical, food science and culinary skills. In this role you will have the unique opportunity to work across small to medium projects on a variety of technologies across our cereal portfolio. You will work with our manufacturing & co-manufacturing facilities along with our colleagues across US, Canada, and Mexico.

We’re looking for an individual who is super passionate about what they do, immensely curious and a nimble learner with a strong desire to be a part of a team that wants to deliver exciting new foods to the market. Along with the technical qualifications, this role will suit someone who is comfortable workshopping innovative ideas with marketing and insights, bringing the food to life through presenting their great prototypes, and bringing these foods to execution in partnership with our supply chain. This role will see you managing multiple innovation and renovation projects, so the ability to manage multiple projects and to prioritize tasks is essential. You will need to be able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions for each of the projects that you’re working on. You will need to be a self-starter who enjoys and thrives in a fast-paced and sometimes ambiguous environment.  We’re a business that is strong on relationships and this role will see you working with multi-disciplinary teams on innovation and renovation projects.

This is a Hybrid role that requires the incumbent to live within sixty miles of the Battle Creek, Michigan Headquarter Office. You must have the ability to work a full shift, come to work on time, work overtime as needed and the ability to work according to the necessary schedule to meet job requirements with or without reasonable accommodation is an essential function of this position. Must be able to use effective verbal and written communication skills on a daily basis. Must have the ability to work in conditions that include multiple and sometimes conflicting priorities, extended work schedules, and specific time constraints. Ability to lead, align, manage, resolve conflict, and work in an ever-changing environment. This job requires travel (up to 50%) to internal and external manufacturing locations located across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 

HERE’S A TASTE OF WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• This is a consumer facing role, working with marketing and insights to identify, frame and pilot new business opportunities in all categories.
• Design, develop, organize and manage innovation and renovation projects simultaneously, whilst ensuring precise and appropriate documentation
• Support innovation in the development of new ideas through ideation sessions and bench top experimentation, along with the ability to effectively communicate these concepts.
• Support labelling, nutritional, regulatory, quality and food safety efforts.
• Evaluate ingredients and processing techniques to identify and commercialize product improvement and cost reduction opportunities.
• Design, plan and execute experiments for bench top, pilot plant and plant trials, gather and analyze data, document and report results, and make recommendations.
• Ensure successful start-ups of new products, product improvements, cost reductions, and ingredient, formula, specification, or process changes.
• Document all work according to guidelines and provide timely project reports to ensure good communication of project status, progress, issues and timeline.  
• Prepare prototype products to the design brief and present to the business through leading effective food reviews.
• Provide technical guidance to our internal and external manufacturing sites, this position will have a strong relationship with the operations side of our business.

YOUR RECIPE FOR SUCCES

Required:

• Owner’s mindset and entrepreneurial spirit!
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Science or Food Technology and experience in a related field or strong relevant experience.
• You will have 5 years previous experience in a similar role, and strong experience and knowledge of ingredient functionality, processing, product & formulation design and commercialization.
• Proven track record of leadership, business acumen, communication skills, and diplomacy.
• Effective execution of projects and ability to operate with minimal supervision on Food Technology required capabilities.
• Project Management experience to manage low to medium complexity sustaining projects (product or flavor line extensions, renovations, ingredient qualifications, supply chain enabling projects).

Bonus Points:

• Your experience in processing equipment, ingredients, flavors, emerging technologies development, or commercial scaleup in food industries will be an asset here!
• Ability to provide technical expertise on a portfolio of complex projects.
• Culinary degree.

Compensation Insights:

Salary Range: $83,800 - $115,200        

Position is bonus eligible

At WK Kellogg Co, our success depends on our most vital asset — our people. That’s why we’re committed to providing you with benefits and programs that support your Total Health and your journey to be and feel your best — physically, financially, emotionally, and socially. Although subject to change, the below are the benefits currently offered in association with this position:

• Incentive Plan bonus eligibility
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Savings and Investment Plan with Company match and contribution
• Paid Time Off (includes paid sick time)
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Life Insurance, AD and D Insurance and STD/LTD
• Tuition reimbursement, adoption assistance for eligible employees
• Employee recognition program

The above offerings are subject to the terms of WKKC policies, which will control in the event of a conflict with the above descriptions

Our comprehensive and competitive benefits not only deliver value to you and your family, but also offer choice to meet your unique needs and knowledge to empower confident decision-making.

ABOUT WK KELLOGG CO

At WK Kellogg Co, we bring our best to everyone, every day through our trusted foods and brands. Our journey began in 1894, when our founder W.K. Kellogg reimagined the future of food with the creation of Corn Flakes, changing breakfast forever. Since then, we have embraced the same spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in everything we do, channeling our founder’s passion and commitment to creating high quality and delicious products while fostering communities. Our iconic brand portfolio includes Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, Froot Loops, Kashi, Special K, Raisin Bran, Frosted Mini Wheats, and Bear Naked. With a presence in the majority of households across North America, our brands play a key role in enhancing the lives of millions of consumers every day, promoting a strong sense of physical, emotional and societal wellbeing. Our beloved brand characters, including Tony the Tiger and Toucan Sam, represent our deep connections with the consumers and communities we serve. For more information, visit www.wkkellogg.com. 

If we can help you with a reasonable accommodation throughout the application or hiring process, please email TalentAssist@wkkellogg.com

THE FINER PRINT

The ability to work a full shift, come to work on time, work overtime as needed and the ability to work according to the necessary schedule to meet job requirements with or without reasonable accommodation is an essential function of this position.

WK Kellogg Co is an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to provide an inclusive work environment, a seat for everyone at the table, and embraces the diverse talent of its people. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For US applicants:

Where required by state law and/or city ordinance; this employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For additional information, please follow this link.

Let’s create gr-r-reat days,

WK Kellogg Co Recruitment