Food Technologist

Position Summary:

The Food Technologist - Data Analytics will help ensure Ventura Food’s products are designed, launched, and sustained for long-term manufacturability, consistency, and quality by owning specification governance and translating production data into actionable insights. This role bridges Process Development & Technical Services, Operations, and Quality by evaluating product and process performance across the enterprise, enabling developers to make informed decisions on formulas, specifications, and processing parameters. Through proactive analysis and feedback, the role safeguards customer trust, accelerates commercialization, and drives continuous improvement across Ventura’s network. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Specification Governance:
  Under supervision lead the ownership, review, and evolution of product and process specifications within Technical Services. Ensure specs reflect true process capability and drive consistency ac ross sites and international operations. Participates in and drives the governance process for specification and formula changes, ensuring alignment with Technical Services standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
• Product & Process Performance Analytics:
  With supervision, lead enterprise-wide trending and analysis of product performance data for Preliminary to Final covering both new launches and Formula Maintenance. Maintain dashboards KPI's, reporting systems, and early-warning tools to monitor control and stability. Partner with Product Development team & Technical Services team on formula adjustments when manufacturability or shelf stability is at risk.
• Feedback Loop to ProTech & Cross Functional Partners Alignment Operations/QA:
  With the oversight of the Senior Manager, lead the structured process of feeding performance insights back to product developers and other technical groups for actionable recommendations. Lead the structured process of translating product performance insights into actionable recommendations for developers and technical teams. Drive alignment on formula optimization, processing controls, and specification adjustments. Facilitate cross-functional forums with ProTech, QA, and Operations to ensure data-driven decision-making. Serve as a trusted technical advisor to senior stakeholders on manufacturability and long-term product performance.
• Continuous Improvement & Capability Building:
  With the support of the Senior Manager work on the development of standardized methods and tools for product performance monitoring including leveraging AI and automation. Build expertise  with the goal of training ProTech and technologists in applying SPC, DOE, and process analytics.
• Product Performance & Commercialization:
  Create manufacturing packets and process changes when needed, ensuring accurate translation of product and process requirements from development to operations. Participate in minor and major technical projects from concept through commercialization, partnering with ProTech, QA, and Operations to ensure smooth scale-up and manufacturability. Provide performance insights and specification guidance throughout the product lifecycle to support robust, consistent product launches and maximal customer experience.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• BS  in  Food Science, Data Analytics, Industrial Engineering, or Business/Operations Management related field.
• 0-5 years experience in food manufacturing or processing environment.

Knowledge and Skills:

• With the assistance of the Senior Manager have the aptitude to develop an understanding of food manufacturing processes, specification management, and commercialization workflows.
• Basic understanding of FDA and USDA regulatory guidelines, SQF, HACCP, and other applicable industry standards.
• Proficient project management skills.
• Exposure to statistical process control (SPC), design of experiments (DOE), and regression modeling.
• Experience with analytics platforms (JMP, Minitab, Power BI, Tableau) and PLM. Comfort with ERP/PLM systems (JDE, SAP, Agile, Spec Management tools).
• Ability to interpret large datasets, identify trends, and convert them into actionable recommendations. Interpersonal skills.
• Ability to analyze different situations and adapt as required.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, project timelines, verbal and written communication.
• Communication: Translate data into clear, actionable insights for developers, operators, and executives.
• Strategic Thinking- Prioritize initiatives aligned with enterprise goals, Change Leadership: Facilitate alignment sessions and drive adoption of new governance standards.
• Training, coaching & mentorship, elevate technologists, analysts, and developers in spec governance and analytics practices.