Product Development Technologist, Applications

About Imbibe

Imbibe is a dynamic, high-growth food and beverage development company based in Niles, Illinois. We specialize in developing, creating, and manufacturing beverage flavors, ingredient systems, and finished food and beverage products. Our mission is to design ingredients with impact for the food and beverage industry.

Since our founding in 1963, Imbibe has been at the forefront of flavor innovation and product development. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including full product development, taste modulation, and finished product solutions. Our state-of-the-art campus features an Innovation Center and Pilot Plant that enable us to tackle industry-wide taste and texture challenges, ensuring that our clients receive the highest quality products.

At Imbibe, we pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to continuous improvement. Our values of collaboration, accountability, and entrepreneurship drive us to deliver exceptional results for our clients. We also believe in giving back to the community. Through various initiatives we support efforts to combat food insecurity in the Chicagoland area by donating ingredients and our time.

If you're passionate about the food and beverage industry and eager to make a meaningful impact, Imbibe is the place for you. Let's create something extraordinary together!

Summary of Position

The Technologist is an entry-level product developer with additional team-supporting responsibilities. This individual works both within a team, assisting others under the guidance and direction of senior Product Development staff, as well as individually on assigned applications work. This individual also executes the development of projects and is appointed as the technical lead, with supervision from other technical roles.

The specific day-to-day tasks may vary but include Pilot Plant batching, analytical testing, sample preparation and shipment, and benchtop development.

Essential Job Duties

Batch, package, and ship product samples for client evaluation, third party laboratory or consumer testing.

Batch and prepare formulas for processing in the Pilot Plant, gaining a general awareness of relevant processing equipment.

Conduct analytical testing on raw and finished product samples including but not limited to pH, titratable acidity, total solids/moisture, particle size, Brix, density, viscosity, and color.

Keep detailed records of batched formulas, analytical testing data, shelf life data and collaborate with the Product Development, Engineering, and Sensory teams to produce formal reports when needed.

Monitor shelf life for given projects and pull product samples at regular intervals for analytical testing.

Maintain, clean, and organize all work areas including participation in maintenance of communal workspaces.

Execute other duties as assigned within established SOPs and participate in SOP revision, optimization, and creation with other R&D stakeholders. Participates in training and onboarding initiatives.

Execute low-complexity, low-risk applications projects under the supervision of other technical roles.

Deliver applications formulations on tight timelines in alignment with company KPIs.

Follow all Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines.

May provide technical support for low-complexity, low-risk trial runs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, or related field.
• Detail-oriented work style with a team-centric mindset.
• Comfortable with a brisk working pace and environment of changing priorities.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office suite including Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, and Word.
• Ability to travel to manufacturing plants (<10% travel)

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a food/beverage manufacturing facility and/or laboratory setting.
• Skilled in technical writing/communication.
• Working Conditions
• Typical office setting for most desk work and paperwork including use of standard office equipment.
• Typical food/beverage laboratory and pilot plant setting for all hands-on development work including the use of standard laboratory equipment.
• Ability to stand or remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
• May occasionally need to move, lift, or transport containers of ingredients weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Exposure to food and beverage product tastings which may include allergens.
• Occasional travel to manufacturing plants where exposure to confined spaces, loud noises, excessive heat/cold, and/or wet/slippery conditions is possible.

Approximate Salary Range

$55,000 — $75,000 USD