Food Scientist

Join America’s favorite family bakery since 1934—home of Little Debbie®, Drake’s® Cakes, and Sunbelt Bakery® Granola Bars. Work with legacy brands that bring smiles to faces nationwide, including yours. You’ll experience a culture committed to work-life balance, guaranteed time off, and supportive health and wellness offerings. Enjoy profit sharing, long-term job security, and a range of exciting career paths. When you join McKee Foods, you’ll discover a better way to live and work.

Pay

Salaried grade 5, 8, or 11
$62,800 - $112,200 / year, depending on experience and qualifications.

Actual salaries may vary and in some cases may be higher with extensive experience and strong performance.

This position is part of a career ladder that includes grades 5-14, indicating potential for advancement.

Schedule

1st Shift (Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

On-site position with some hybrid flexibility

Location

10260 McKee Road, Collegedale TN 37315

Job Summary

McKee Foods is seeking a Food Scientist to join our Corporate Research and Development team. This is an exciting Food Science opportunity to work within a leading food manufacturer that is committed to providing consumers with quality products at an excellent value.  McKee Foods is a privately held, family owned company with an 85 year history of innovation and treating employees with respect, and a deeply held belief in the importance of doing business with integrity. Responsibilities will include:

• Create new products from conceptualization through commercialization and reformulate existing products as necessary
• Interact and communicate effectively with multiple departments
• Serve on project teams to provide technical expertise related to product design needs
• Conduct scientific research, focusing on ingredients and food systems and their applications in new products and existing products
• Make formula changes for product improvement, process improvement, cost initiatives, waste reductions, and internal and external customer requests, including requests for health claims or other nutritional claims
• Evaluate new ingredients and work with Technical Services to create appropriate specifications for new ingredients
• Reformulate existing formulas due to supply chain interruptions, working within the ingredient statement and Kosher requirements in order to use existing packaging
• Set product design and manufacturing specifications, including those for intermediate products
• Stay current in Food Science trends, the competitive environment of our products, and the food processing marketplace

Required Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Food Science or a related field with 1 year of related experience
• Experience leading and assisting with the development of new products
• Understanding of the product development process, including stage-gate methods
• Strong computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace
• Willing to travel to branch plants for extended time periods as required

Preferred Qualifications

• (Senior Food Scientist) M.S. degree in Food Science or related field with 5 years of experience OR B.S. degree in Food Science or a related field with 9 years of experience
• Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end product development, from concept to commercialization.
• Proficiency in using product lifecycle management software
• Experience with baked goods, including expertise in formulation and ingredient selection/functionality
  • Experience with fried dough products preferred
• Familiarity with bakery processes and equipment (e.g., mixing, depositing, ovens, proofers, and fryers)
• Training and experience in the design of experiments and/or LEAN Manufacturing

Benefits

• Competitive weekly pay
• Profit-sharing cash bonus program
• 401(k) with matching contributions
• 25 days Paid Time Off (for vacation, holidays, sick time, personal time, etc.)
• Medical insurance, including health, dental, vision and prescription drug plan
• Supplemental plans, including life insurance
• Fully-paid parental leave
• Health Center and Pharmacy
• Tuition reimbursement
• Credit Union
• Exercise and recreation facility
• Wellness programs with incentives
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short-term and long-term disability benefits (company-paid)