With growing customer demand, our client, a mid-sized food ingredient manufacturer, is expanding their technical staff to deliver the best service to their customer base. They are seeking an enthusiastic Tortilla Formulator with at least 5 years of hands-on experience to join the team in the development of innovative formulations for tortillas. This position will develop new formulation for their products for tortillas and other bakery items, evaluate new functional ingredients to enhance product quality and performance and provide expert troubleshooting support to customers team. Position is in the East Los Angeles area.

Position Responsibilities

This position plays a role in developing innovative formulas and conducting research on tortilla/bakery products.

Key Responsibilities

  • Formulate and test functional ingredient systems for tortillas and potentially other baked goods as requested by sales, customers, and management.
  • Perform laboratory evaluations including producing tortilla samples on lab scale production equipment, and quality testing of finished samples.
  • Write technical reports, describing test results and/or reviews of quality evaluations, interpret; make recommendations and present results cross functionally.
  • Maintain lab supplies, equipment, and ingredient inventory.
  • Provide technical support to customers, working directly with the sales team to trouble shoot formulations and processes.
  • Stay up to date with developments in the tortilla industry and be constantly looking for new opportunities.
  • Work with other food scientists, developing unique customer solutions.
  • Evaluate and resolve customer complaints, troubleshoot, and solve technical challenges in collaboration with the QA department.
  • Create and edit formulas, processing procedures, finished product specifications and customer specifications.
  • Maintain a professional and technical knowledge of tortillas and sales market through workshops, publications, trade shows, personal networks, and professional groups.
  • Support the Food Safety culture and attend all training required by the company.
  • Other job duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications and Skills

  • BS or MS in Food or Bakery science is required.
  • 5+ years of experience in developing formulas for tortillas or bakery products.
  • Knowledge of ingredient functionality, especially baking ingredients is a plus.
  • Ability to generate and translate innovative concepts into technically feasible and
  • Consumer relevant prototypes and products.
  • Resourceful problem solver, who takes the initiative in addressing challenging issues.
  • Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently, and as a team member.
  • Excellent time management skills, adept at managing multiple priorities.
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
  • Be able to travel up to 25%.

For more information, please contact Moira McGrath at  OPUS International, Inc. at (954) 428-3888 or moira@foodscience.com