In this new role, you will play a key role within our operation, applying your expertise in food science to enhance product quality, safety, and innovation. The Food Scientist will be responsible for developing and optimizing processing methods, ensuring regulatory compliance.

This role is integral to maintaining Ocean Mist Farms’ commitment to delivering safe, high-quality produce while driving continuous improvement across operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Product Quality Assurance:

• Perform microbiological, chemical, and physical testing to ensure compliance with food safety and quality specifications.
• Evaluate and optimize product formulations, raw materials, and processes to improve quality, consistency, and shelf life.
• Conducts sensory evaluations and provide recommendations for product improvement to enhance customer satisfaction.
• Provide professional support and detailed documentation to aid in customer and consumer inquiries.
• Work with seed breeding teams to ensure suitability requirements.
• Conducts daily product respiration rates and ensure packaging specifications meets requirements.

Product Development and Innovation:

• Collaborate with the Product Development team to evaluate and test new products, ingredients, and packaging to ensure they meet safety and quality standards.
• Support the design and execution of experiments to improve quality practices and develop innovative solutions for product quality enhancement.
• Conduct testing under various conditions to ensure shelf-life and adherence to specifications.
• Process new formulas, prepare nutritional analysis and aid in product labeling.
• Stay updated on emerging trends and technologies in quality and apply insights to enhance processes and products.

Procurement and Supplier Qualification:

• Partner with the Procurement team to assess and qualify suppliers, ensuring raw materials meet requirements.
• Conduct risk assessments for new suppliers and products to determine suitability.
• Work with suppliers to improve their quality compliance with Ocean Mist Farms’ standards and specifications.

Training and Education:

• Develop and deliver quality training programs for employees, emphasizing best practices, sanitation, and compliance requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to team members and stakeholders on quality protocols and standards.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain detailed records of inspections, audits, testing, and corrective actions.
• Prepare and present reports on quality performance metrics, compliance status, and key initiatives to leadership.
• Support incident investigations, root cause analyses, and resolution of food safety and quality issues.

Food Safety Program Development and Compliance:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement corrective actions, preventive measures, and process improvements.

Takes on additional tasks as needed to support companies’ business objectives and growth plan objectives.

Job Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in food safety, quality assurance, or product development, preferably in the fresh cut produce including formulation and commercialization experience. HACCP/PCQI certification required.
• Strong understanding of food safety standards, regulatory requirements, and auditing practices (e.g., FSMA, USDA, FDA, GFSI).
• Strong technical and analytical and research skills.
• Proven hands-on experience with microbiological and chemical analysis of food products.
• Strong project management experience in project management meeting deadlines and coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in risk assessment, supplier qualification, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have ability to read, write, and communicate in English & Spanish at a fluent level.
• Working knowledge of computers and software such as MS Word & Excel as utilized in an agricultural environment.
• 10-key calculator by touch, telephone, computer keyboard, fax, photocopy machine and other clerical and office equipment.
• Valid class “C” California Driver’s license is required and must be insurable; ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Good laboratory practices, including organized data documentation and presentation. Attention to detail and ability to develop and follow protocols.
• Familiarity with operations and manufacturing processes, including workflow optimization and production efficiencies.
• Experience working through ambiguity, adapting and persevering.

Salary: $77k – $95k / Yearly

https://sunnyskiesproduce.com/employer/ocean-mist-farms-jobs/

https://www.oceanmist.com/careers/food-scientist-castroville-ca/