Ingredient Portfolio Specialist

Ingredient Portfolio Specialist- Brecksville

Location: Brecksville, OH- HYBRID
Department: Product Development  
Employment Type: Full-Time  

About AGRANA Fruit  

AGRANA Fruit is proud to be a Great Place to Work® Certified organization, reflecting our commitment to a high-trust, collaborative, and employee-focused culture.  

As the global market leader in fruit preparations, AGRANA Fruit develops innovative fruit ingredients for the refrigerated and frozen dairy, bakery, and food service industries. In fact, every third cup of yogurt consumed worldwide contains fruit prepared by AGRANA.  

If you're looking to join an innovative, collaborative company where your work directly supports world-class food manufacturers, AGRANA Fruit offers an exciting opportunity to grow your career.  

Position Summary  

AGRANA Fruit US, Inc. is seeking to hire a Product Developer to work as part of the Ingredient Portfolio Management team at our Corporate Headquarters in Brecksville, OH. This role will contribute significantly to the overall success of the company by facilitating the evaluation of material substitutions for cost savings, continuation of supply, and reduction of expired material. The role also supports the collaboration between Procurement, Sales, Quality and NPD and acts as the interface between these functions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute process for material substitutions from request through implementation
• Performs lab testing and experimentation to assess the viability of potential material substitutions ensuring the compliance with the Fruit Preparation specifications (sensory and quality parameters)
• Identify potential raw material exchange targets by assessing product specifications and recipes.
• Create and schedule pilot plant batches for analytical and sensory evaluation.  Establish new recipes with stakeholders (Developer, Sales, Operations, Quality, Purchasing)
• Ensure full transparency and accuracy of data in the lifecycle of an ingredient project supported by the relevant tools
• Participate in raw material supplier discussions and events
• Advise NPD on potential use of existing materials in new products
• Manage laboratory flavor inventory in AFUS
• Organize local sensory tests for material substitutions (sample preparation, panel invitation, results analysis and conclusion)

Required Qualifications:

• BS in Food Science, Food Technology or other applicable Science field
• Skilled in communication and influencing stakeholders without direct influence
• Strong Decision Maker
• Results driven.
• Minimum of three years of experience in food product development.
• Must have strong working knowledge of food ingredients, applicable raw materials.
• Quick learner
• Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• General business acumen
• SAP application experience or application system experience required

Benefits  

AGRANA Fruit offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support the health, wellness, and financial well-being of our employees, including:  

• Competitive salary  

• Comprehensive benefits, including wellness program

• 401k plan with company match

• Paid time off  

• Career development opportunities  

• Collaborative, employee-focused work environment  

Why Join AGRANA Fruit?  

At AGRANA Fruit, you'll become part of a global organization recognized for innovation, quality, and collaboration. Our employees play an essential role in supplying leading food manufacturers around the world while enjoying opportunities for professional growth in an inclusive and supportive workplace.    

Apply Today  

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit an application or contact:  

Rachel.Finkelstein@agrana.com

Learn more about career opportunities at https://agranajobs.com/