Senior Food Technologist

Working closely with the Food and Treat Product Development teams as well as cross-functionally with FSQR, Marketing, and Operations,  assists managers in new product development and improves 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.  In addition to product development responsibilities, this individual will serve as communication conduit between US-based team and Canadian-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 and is required to be on site several days a week to support the lab coordinator and product development managers.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 recommendations 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.Approve and maintain ingredient specifications and final product specifications. Alert management to issues relating to the approval of these specifications. Demonstrate a 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 and Canadian teams, vendors, distribution, franchisees, and fans. Support includes, but is not limited to, handling complaints, assisting with the vendor vetting process, and assisting with regulatory issues, including withdrawals, new regulations, etc.      Support internal/external ideation and product exploration sessions for the food product category. Working with the PD Director, present ideas to the brand marketing team. Identify and build relationships with suppliers and other experts related to food category. Direct and manage suppliers in the development of new ingredients and products. Troubleshoot manufacturing plant procedures for existing and new products.Develop objectives. Demonstrate a strong understanding of evaluation audit procedures, including analytical and sensory measurements, and support objective evaluations of current and proposed food product ingredients. Identify product and procedural problems. Working with the PD Director, recommend solutions by applying technical knowledge and skill. Strong understanding of food science principles.   Analyze consumer and operator comments and market research information on new products. Alert the PD Director to areas of concern. Provide and recommend recommendations on improvements. Alert the corporation to new trends in the food industry. AlertCorporation to new trends in the food industry.  Support FSQR by ensuring that ADQ quality and food safety requirements are met.