Bilingual Senior Food Technologist

Company Description

Since 1940, Dairy Queen® has been one of the world’s best known and loved brands. Based in Minneapolis, MN, International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation. As a leading franchisor, there are more than 7,000 independently owned and operated restaurants in the U.S., Canada and more than 20 countries around the world. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire.

Here at IDQ, we create extraordinary Fan experiences every day and we do this through our commitment to hiring and retaining only the best in class talent. We firmly believe that our employees are the catalyst to the success of the company where their initiative, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit are recognized and rewarded. We're looking for motivated, passionate and dedicated individuals with an inherent need and ambition to go after bigger challenges.

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity available for a Bilingual Senior Food Technologist located out of our corporate office in Bloomington, MN.  The Senior Food Technologist works closely with the Food and Treat Product Development teams as well as cross-functionally with FSQR, Marketing and Operations, assists managers on new products and improve existing products designed to meet the needs of our fans.  The Senior Food Technologist must be proficient in gathering information for the team related to key business drivers and critical issues associated with the roll-out process.  Organizes and assists in conducting product showings, analytical testing, evaluation, troubleshooting, and cost of goods reduction testing to assure continued cost, quality and marketplace competitiveness. This position is effective in identifying opportunities to reduce variability and ensure reproducibility of high-quality and high-value products.   This individual will assist in seeking insights and root causes during the development process to help the team design restaurant-ready products.   The Senior Food Technologist will work with R&D team members and cross functional team members to ask analytical questions, to achieve scientific details and restaurant-ready details to assist in building a strong product pipeline to surprise and delight DQ fans, as well as support restaurant sales and profitability.   This role will self-manage projects with clear prioritization skills and effectively resolve issues and questions on a timely basis.  This role must be bi-lingual fluent Spanish speaking.   In addition to product development responsibilities, this individual will serve as communication conduit between US-based team and Mexico-based vendors, distribution, franchisees and fans.  

This position also supports the daily operations of the DQ product development lab. In doing this, this position is hybrid, required to be on site several days a week to support the lab coordinator.

Key Accountabilities Include:

• Working with the PD Director manage processes/timelines to complete development projects in a timely, cost-effective manner. Perform creative and technical product development assignments within the food/treat category. Analyze product and procedural issues and make recommendation to the PD Director to resolve problems by applying technical knowledge and skill.
• Utilize technical and culinary know-how to collaborate cross functionally in ideation, exploration, development and implementation of new products.   Prepare menu items/products for review by internal team members, and Council/Committees.  Assist with in-house sensory evaluation taste panels, focus groups and other consumer research projects.  Maintain laboratory facility and equipment. Must be regarded as a subject matter expert in all areas related to product design. 
• Maintain ingredient specifications, and final product specifications. Alert management to issues relating to the approval of these specifications. Demonstrate strong understanding of the specification and provide solutions to continue to enhance the ingredient specification.
• Support all of R&D with communications between US-based team and Mexico/Latin American teams, vendors, distribution, franchisees and fans.  Support included but not limited to: handling complaints, assistance with vendor vetting process, and assistance with regulatory issues including withdraws, new regulations, etc. 
• Support internal/external ideation and product exploration sessions for the food product category. Working with the PD Director, present ideas to brand marketing team. 
• Demonstrate strong understanding of audit procedures including analytical and sensory measurements and support objective evaluations of current and proposed  ingredients. Identify product and procedural problems.  Working with PD Director, recommend solutions by applying technical knowledge and strong understanding of food science principles.  
• Analyze consumer and operator comments, market research information on new products and alert PD Director to areas of concern and provide recommendations on improvements. Alert corporation to new trends in the food industry.   
• Support FSQR by ensuring that ADQ quality and food safety requirements are met.                                                                

Qualifications

• Must be fluent in both English and Spanish, verbally and in writing.  Must be able to communicate and confidently travel in Mexico and Latin America.  
• Minimum of an undergraduate degree in Food Science, Chemistry or related field is required.
• 2-4 years of experience of professional product development or QA experience.
• Proficiency of standard sensory methodologies and ability to conduct sensory testing.
• Capable of assimilating large quantities of data, sorting relevant facts and provide concise, cogent descriptions of situations.
• Have a working knowledge of analytical equipment and the ability to decipher the data it provides to determine next steps.
• Must have the ability to translate technical data and communicate it in a non-technical way.
• Working knowledge of QSR/restaurant/commercial cooking equipment
• Must be an active bridge builder with the ability to create mutually beneficial relationships with both internal and external clients.
• Experienced with auditing and testing sampling and practices and food regulations. Ability to apply sound technical principles and practices to problem solving. Knowledge of food technology, food microbiology, safe food handling procedures and foodservice sanitation practices.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and HACCP principles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.   Strong ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple projects and requests simultaneously, within an intense, deadline-driven environment.
• Competency  in the use of computers and working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel Power Point, Smartsheets, and One Note.  Ability to work on computer for extended periods of time.  
• Ability to work occasionally on evenings and weekends, as necessary to meet project deadlines.
• Ability to work in a QA/Product Development lab and factory environments for extended periods of time.
• Must have the ability to travel throughout US, Mexico, Canada and Internationally up to 10%.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.   You must be work authorized in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.

Benefits

Our benefit package supports the well-being of our employees and their families.  Our comprehensive benefit package includes, medical, dental, 401K match, paid time off (including volunteer time as well as parental leave) and so much more!  To learn more about our great benefit offerings, Click Here.

Work Environment

Most positions located out of our global headquarters in Bloomington, MN will work a hybrid work schedule where you will work 2 collaboration days a week.  Additional in office time may be required to support team/project needs.  Positions will be identified as “remote eligible” when consideration will be given to candidates outside of drivable distance to our Bloomington office.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion for all who touch DQ.  We believe in and commit to fostering a community where employees bring their authentic selves to work; where we recruit, engage and retain employees, franchise owners and suppliers with diverse background and identities; and where everyone feels welcome engaging with our DQ brand.

IDQ is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values the strength diversity brings to the workplace. IDQ participates in the US E-Verify program.  You must be work authorized in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.