Corp Food Tech Advanced Specialist Product Development - Fresh Kitchens - Full-time / Part-time

Department: MFG Corporate Food Technology
Post End Date:
Position Type: Employee
Position Reports To: Corporate Food Technology Manager, Corporate Food Technology Manager Senior Manager
Position Supervises: N/A
Pay Level: 7-8
FLSA Status: Exempt
 

 

Position Summary:

Leverage technical expertise and leadership to assure safety and quality of Kroger branded products and fresh foods. Monitor product quality and work to approve products and producing facilities. Ensure all labeling and packaging meets legal requirements. Perform all jobs safely, efficiently and accurately to maintain and improve the performance of the entire division in the areas of Safety, Quality, Reliability (SQR) and our Customer 1st strategy. Demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety. 

Essential Job Functions:

• Work closely with third party vendors and culinary specialists as well as internal brand and innovation teams to ensure product quality and regulatory compliance for manufactured, procured and fresh products; lead quality issues to resolution; work with recall coordinator as needed
• Lead technicians to properly plan and execute audits
• Analyze customer comments and resolve issues with plants or suppliers
• Follow labeling regulations that affect products, including nutrition, ingredients, Country of Origin Labeling, and warnings; confirm or change product packaging information to ensure compliance
• With guidance from CFT Regulatory team, review and proofread product label proofs to ensure compliance with Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) requirements
• Provide ongoing regulatory and labeling guidance and assist with Nutrient Profile calculations for Menu Labeling requirements
• Review new and current product item information in systems such as VIP, VENUS, PID, and PLUM HOST to ensure in-store scale label accuracy
• Work closely with Product Development, Category Managers and Retail Divisions to answer regulatory questions
• Work with Call Center dieticians to ensure customer questions are properly researched and addressed
• Work with the Corporate Food Technology (CFT) Sensory group to organize panels and coordinate delivery and preparation of product samples
• Prepare and maintain finished product and nutritional specification documents
• Connect regularly with Corporate Food Safety team to communicate new programs under consideration, and be involved in the testing process
• Incorporate food safety and regulatory information wherever applicable in training program design and documentation
• Follow established programs, policies and practices to produce safe quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements
• Support the development, implementation, maintenance, and ongoing improvement of the SQF 2000 Systems
• Travel to manufacturing and fresh food facilities and suppliers for food safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance audits, testing, and product improvement efforts
• Accountable to the Kroger Manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Principles
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

Minimum Position Qualifications/Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in food science technology, dairy science, bakery science, food microbiology or related field
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Strong attention to detail, with high degree of accuracy and precision
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Able to manage multiple concurrent projects to meet deadlines with limited supervision
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer
• 5 years of progressive product development experience (pay level 8)

Desired Previous Job Experience:

• 5 years of experience in Quality Assurance or Product Development
• Demonstrated excellence in planning and organizational skills

 

Education Level: Bachelor's Required
Required Travel: Up to 75%
Required Certifications/Licenses: None
Position Type: Full-Time
 Regions: Midwest

States: Indiana; Kentucky; Ohio
Keywords: food science, product development

 

Jobs at Kroger: At Kroger, we hire people who have a passion for helping others and who want to build a relationship with our Customers. No matter what stage of your career, you can build your future at Kroger. We look for people who want more, aspire to be more and work hard to achieve their goals. Our focus on keeping the Customer first is what makes us successful. As the largest traditional grocery chain in the U.S. and one of the world's largest retailers, we employee more than 443,000 Associates across 35 states and the District of Columbia. We offer many opportunities not only in our stores, but in Manufacturing, Logistics, Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, and many other fields.

 

Company Overview
Kroger Family of Companies employs nearly 443,000 associates who serve customers in 2,796 retail food stores under a variety of in 35 states and the District of Columbia.  Kroger and its subsidiaries operate an expanding ClickList offering – a personalized, order online, pick up at the store service – in addition to 2,253 pharmacies, 787 convenience stores, 324 fine jewelry stores, 1,439 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States.  Kroger is recognized as one of America’s most generous companies for its support of more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the military and their families, and more than 145,000 community organizations including schools. Careers with The Kroger Co. and our family of companies offer competitive wages, flexible schedules, benefits and room for advancement.

 Posting Notes:  OH || Cincinnati || 1014 Vine Street || 45202 || Kroger Manufacturing || None || Food Technology || Employee || Exempt || Full-Time || None