Senior Enterprise Food Technologist - Thermal Processing

About Amy's

At Amy's Kitchen, we're more than just a food company-we're a family-owned, proudly independent organic, and vegetarian food company on a mission. As a Certified B Corporation, our purpose is clear: to make it simple and enjoyable for everyone to eat well.

We're committed to crafting authentic, mouthwatering dishes using only the finest organic ingredients sourced with care. From farm to table, we ensure top-notch quality in every bite, making healthy eating accessible and convenient for all. At Amy's, we're not just serving meals; we're serving up a taste of goodness, one delicious dish at a time.

Perks are as delicious as our meals!

Comprehensive health plans with Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, plus Flexible Spending Accounts. Mental health support with Modern Health to nourish your and your family's mental well-being. 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match and Financial Wellness support at no cost to plan for the future. Referral Rewards and Scholarship Program to celebrate and invest in our teams. Tuition Reimbursement Program to fuel your educational pursuits. Paid parental leave for new parents. Paid Time Off for vacations and sick days, with 9 paid US Holidays annually to savor those special moments. Amy's product discount reimbursement to keep your pantry stocked, plus remote gym discounts to keep you moving and grooving! Join us and indulge in a career where the benefits are as fulfilling as our food!

The Technologist, working with the Senior Thermal Processing Program Manager and Amy's Culinary/Sensory (R&D) department, will conduct careful thermal process experiments on new and existing canned products, using pilot plant and full-size retort equipment at both in-plant and remote locations. The technologist will collect the data on computer or in-plant and analyze using thermal modeling software or other programs. This position will support other areas of the business relating to thermal processing, preventive controls validation, non-conformance investigation, and product disposition and projects as needed. The incumbent will take the lead on compliance-related projects and initiatives under the direction of the Senior Thermal Processing Manager, working with multiple departments. The position requires a high level of technical knowledge and acts as the thermal processing subject matter expert, providing leadership and guidance to plant staff associated with the canning/jarring process.

This position works in the Regulatory Affairs Department and is additionally responsible for auditing activities and documentation associated with thermal processing in our Canning department. One of the primary functions of the position is to audit documentation relating to the manufacture of canned and jarred products to assure that both regulatory and internal food safety requirements are continually met. This position also identifies deviations and areas for corrective action and works in close association with the Regulatory Affairs, Food Safety & Sensory, and the Canning Production department to assure compliance on a consistent basis. In addition, this position works with the Food Safety & Sensory and Regulatory Affairs groups to identify areas for continual improvement in our recordkeeping and process documentation practices and maintains all forms to assure that they remain current. This position will also assist with the product hold and release function and provide the documents promptly that are necessary for consumer illness investigations. This individual will also be involved in training related to process documentation and food safety requirements and will also be required to work on special projects associated with new products and changes in regulatory requirements or manufacturing practices.

The incumbent should be able to work quickly and accurately under pressure of deadlines and communicate well with other departments.

This position also partners with the Canning, Kitchen, Planning, Warehouse, Engineering and Maintenance department managers and supervisors to develop and maintain role specific training plans and proficiency evaluations related to the Canning department activities. The position requires a detailed understanding of all applicable training materials related audit requirements and will participate in internal, regulatory and third part plant audits as needed.

Conduct and lead a wide range of canned food sterilization experiments to establish safe time/temperature retort experiments sufficient to inactivate botulism spores in a wide range of products.
• Compile Canning food safety documents for review.
• Contact Food Safety & Sensory, QC, or Production for missing documents and/or information. Follow up with individuals to obtain further information required to clear canned products
• Review/audit paperwork for compliance to all regulatory (consistent with 21CFR, Part 113 or Part 114) and internal requirements
• Determine status of each daily production run based on findings of document review
• Note any problems or lack of compliance with procedures and notify proper departments
• Complete all necessary revisions and updates to forms. Assure that current forms are always available and in use.
• Investigate deviations from procedure noted during document review and report back to Food Safety & Sensory, or Production. Assist in corrective action where appropriate.
• Audit the paperwork on the canning line during the production day at a regular frequency
• Identify trends in canning and initiate the appropriate corrective actions in a timely manner.
• Follow up as needed after initial investigations to assure corrective action is taken to eliminate future problems.
• Assist with product holds and releases. Track and report weekly to Thermal Processing team, holds that are created and update existing holds when necessary.
• Assist with customer illness investigations and follow-up activities as needed
• Provide appropriate level of support with tasks requiring technical skills in the event of an unplanned and short-term absence of Canning team members.
• On call to provide guidance to Production and Food Safety & Sensory regarding technical and food safety issues pertaining to thermal processing.
• Maintain and review Formula Comparison spreadsheet for all canned products.
• Demonstrate ability to train, motivate and coach the canning team on proper canning documentation procedures and appropriate corrective actions.
• Provide constructive feedback so to canning team so they can grow and develop their skills and greater understanding of 21CFR Part 113 / 114.
• Provide technical input and work with process authority, as needed, for dispositioning deviated product against schedule process. Participate in continuous improvement activities relating to thermal processing.
• Manage pre-purchase sampling of raw materials in canned products.
• Support co-packers of LACF and/or Acidified products.
• Conduct file review for Acidified Foods as needed, working with our coprocessors.
• Manage the implementation and subsequent rework of non-compliant Holds for Acidified Foods.
• Develop and maintain daily processes and paperwork, including new product documentation, for LACF and/or Acidified products.
• Conduct annual Formula Comparison review of all canned and acidified products.
• Lead Canning CCP training developed by the Thermal Process Team.
• Maintain training records and certificates for related training activities at all Amy's facilities.
• Participate in non-conformance review meetings and communicate dispositions and action items as a backup to the Senior Thermal Processing Program Manager.
• Lead projects and conduct experiments relating to thermal processing, such as using thermoelectric temperature probes during processing or trial runs
• Work in conjunction with Amy's R&D department in the development of new Amy's Kitchen products requiring
• Lead in the implementation, analysis, and validation of new detection equipment/processes relating to Thermal Processing.
• Work closely with our can/end supplier to address defects and lead activities related testing, hold disposition, and hermetic seal issues in order to mitigate risk of product spoilage and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Other tasks or projects may be assigned as need in support of the thermal processing or other Regulatory Affairs functions.

It is the responsibility of all employees to uphold the mission of the Amy's Food Safety and Quality Policy. This includes following all Food Safety and Sustainability programs and participating in all required training.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• This position requires an BS degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, including operating food plant equipment, especially retort equipment and computers
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in thermal processing or canning R&D/quality assurance is preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated aptitude in basic math and use of thermal processing (canned food) software data collection phase.
• Ability to operate Food Sterilization Equipment and evaluate data generation by Thermal modeling software, specifically Numerical and CALSoft.
• SQF Practitioner and Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) training preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and assertive skills, necessary to maintain effective and cordial intra department working relationships while, at the same time, come to resolution/agreement on Amy's requirements.
• Must be flexible, creative, and extremely attentive to detail. Must excel in completing investigations and drawing conclusions from data.
• Must be capable of analyzing data and communicating findings in a clear and concise manner.
• Reliable/dependable.

Language Skills

• Ability to speak clear English and communicate with R&D/Technical staff with regard to thermal process experiments and food sample preparation.
• Ability to effectively present information to all levels of management as well as technicians.
• Ability to speak Spanish is preferred but not required.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to use simple math concepts such as adding subtracting, multiplication, and division in working with product formulas and inventories of equipment.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to understand statistical charts and data.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where direction is being given by R&D or Tech Service staff.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Training Skills

• Able to motivate, lead, and coach employees
• Able to effectively support and listen to employees
• Willing to learn and grow within a teaching and coaching role
• Able to effectively facilitate classroom training
• Able to effectively facilitate on the job training

Certificates, Licenses, Registration

• Successful completion of Better Process Control School.
• Valid U.S. Driver's License

Travel

Estimated travel requirements are a minimum of 10%.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment is usually wet or humid, may experience some extreme cold weather. The employee will work near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.