Trident Seafoods is North America’s largest vertically integrated seafood company—partnering with fishermen, employees, and communities to responsibly harvest, process, and share wild Alaska seafood with the world. With deep roots in Alaska and operating across the globe, Trident is a privately held company headquartered in Seattle, committed to nourishing the world while upholding the highest standards for safety, sustainability, and excellence.
At Trident Seafoods, we work together for something bigger than ourselves. From nourishing the world with the best protein on earth to protecting our oceans, serving our fishermen, and supporting communities in Alaska and beyond, here, you’ll find a values-driven culture where your growth matters, your work has purpose and your contributions are recognized and appreciated—because at Trident, we believe meaningful work connects us all.

Summary:
The Food Technologist will work with world-class food scientists and chefs, specializing in Alaskan Seafood. This individual develops new product formulations and provides improvements to existing products as project lead. Participates in food research process in related areas and shares related work experience and problem-solving ideas. This position is responsible for collaborating with project teams on prototype and product development through full commercialization and finalizing product attributes and specifications.

Essential Functions: (Responsibilities, Tasks, Supervisory Needs)

• Initiates, produces and supplies existing or prototype product samples designed to meet target account needs. Drafts provisional specifications on prototype products prepared for target customer sampling. Ensures adequate supply of 1st production samples retains and bench control for cook validation, product cuttings, shelf-life tests etc.
• Performs bench top research and evaluation of new ingredients and product formulations in their area of responsibility; plans, performs and documents lab experiments, shelf-life testing, and production trials.
• Evaluates and recommends various ingredient/recipe components in terms of functionality, formula, acceptability to target customer/geographic region of account, cost verification and Trident manufacturing capability. Ensures new ingredient opportunities are properly vetted and approved prior to preparing customer samples.
• Responsible for assigned multiple R&D projects partnering with the supply chain, FSQA, production team, category and project management where required.
• Leads multiple projects with assistance from manager or senior developer where required.
• Tightly collaborates with fellow food scientists and chefs on product development, R&D processes, presentations, and everyday operations. Mentors less experienced team members.
• Contributes to New Product Development (NPD) creative exploration (10% of job scope).
• Designs methods to improve ingredient qualities and food production in areas of flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, convenience, and/or physical, chemical, and microbiological composition of foods, as well as cost improvement and process efficiency.
• Creates R&D specifications and documents all tests (lab and plant trials); compiles and records testing data and charts for ingredient performance, production test information/ summary and on-going projects.
• Participates in sensory evaluations, sets up and leads product cuttings/presentations to internal project teams, introducing or re-acquainting them to specific products, ingredient features, benefits, requirements, and application techniques.

Travel/On-Call Requirements: Located in Motley, Minnesota with occasional travel to customers, up to 10%

Required Qualifications: (Education, Years of Experience, Certifications)

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in food science, manufacturing, or a related field
• A bachelor’s degree in food science or a related field; or the equivalent combination of education and years of experience.

Preferred Education & Experiences:

• A master’s degree in food science or related field
• Strong knowledge of labeling requirements to review nutritional and ingredient statements and recommend changes when required.
• Working knowledge of product development and commercialization requirements, including cooking instructions validation, thermometer calibration, shelf-life testing and record keeping.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• General understanding of food laws and regulations
• Solid understanding of mathematics, scientific weights, and measurements.
• Basic working knowledge of MS Office, PowerPoint, Database Management and other computer applications to access information, analyze data and solve problems.

Work Environment:
This role is split between a professional office environment and an industrial test kitchen/pilot plant setting. The employee regularly performs product development, testing, and commercialization activities in food production environments and may be exposed to temperature variations, noise, food allergens, and processing equipment. PPE may be required.

Work Ability Requirements:
The position may require standing for extended periods, frequent walking between work areas, lifting and carrying ingredients or product samples up to 25-50 pounds, and occasional travel to manufacturing facilities, suppliers, customers, or industry events.

Work Authorizations:
This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Stay connected with Trident Seafoods online at www.tridentseafoods.com and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube or LinkedIn

Trident Seafoods provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Trident Seafoods and its subsidiaries have adopted a drug-free workplace policy. Working under the influence of Drugs or Alcohol is not permitted.

Employment with Trident Seafoods is contingent upon the candidate maintaining valid immigration status and work authorization throughout employment, with or without immigration sponsorship by the company.