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Principle Research Scientist - Palasurance
Kemin Nutrisurance, Inc.​

Position Description

Kemin Industries is a profitable and progressive privately held international company headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. The Kemin Group of companies worldwide has annual sales in excess of $150 million and employs over 750 people.

Kemin Nutrisurance, Inc. is a Kemin company that provides products and services to the worldwide pet food and pet food ingredient industries. Kemin Nutrisurance focuses on quality and palatability enhancement and the stability of ingredients and finished pet food diets.

In ad***ion to Kemin Nutrisurance Inc., the Kemin Group is made up of Kemin Agri-Foods (Kemin Americas, Kemin Europa, Kemin Asia and Kemin Nutritional Technologies India), Kemin Foods, L.C. Kemin Consumer Care, L.C., and Kemin Pharma.

Position: Principle Research Scientist

Reports to: Commercial Director of Kemin Nutrisurance, Inc. (Europe)

Position Base: Herentals Belgium, Kemin Nutrisurance facility

Direct Reports: none

Indirect Reports: none

Overall Function: The Principal Research Scientist for Palasurance products will serve as the technical expert in exploring and advancing new pet food flavor technology for the Palasurance product line of pet food palatants. He/she will be involved in identification, design and development of products, ingredients and formulas that enhance palatant quality and meet customer needs. This person will conduct product evaluations and analyze data while striving to achieve product breakthroughs in pet food palatability to achieve business objectives and contribute to meeting the Vision of Kemin. This person will participate in all phases of product development; from concept to market launch.

Basic Skills Required: Analytical chemistry skills in the use of GC õ?" MS and HPLC technologies is required. He/she must have the ability to evaluate current technologies and determine the focus for research and commercial product development. The person will demonstrate skills in palatability product evaluation design for pets, implementation of trials, design of formulas and have the ability to analyze results and determine the next steps in a research or commercial development plan. He/she must have excellent communication skills and the interest and ability to work and operate in a team environment. He/she is creative and innovative in identifying opportunities solving problems. English proficiency is important as well as current proficiency in or/and interest in developing ad***ional language skills applicable to the European continent.

Job Responsibilities: Primary
õ? Product Development: The Principal Research Scientist will be the lead scientist in developing improved, innovative and novel dog and cat food palatability enhancement products for the Palasurance line of products. Evaluation and determining active ingredients and compounds for current and new palatants is a critical aspect to the function of this position. The ability to lead and manage the development of new palatant products within a commercial framework is needed.

õ? Product Evaluation: The scientist will evaluate current technologies for fit based upon customers needs. Identifying these needs and developing plans to research innovative palatability products that meet anticipated customers requirements is important. This person will be responsible for originating quality testing processes and interpreting results within Nutrisurance commercial strategies.

õ? Job Knowledge: A solid understanding of flavor/aroma technology and chemistry in human foods and/or animal/pet foods. He/she will build upon their knowledge of the pet food industry too specifically meet customerõ?Ts current and anticipated needs in terms of pet food palatants.

õ? Team Contribution: The Principal Research Scientist will work with commercial and research support groups to identify objectives and goals, develop plans to accomplish the objectives within established timetables. He/she will contribute to the strategic thinking and planning of Kemin Nutrisurance to meet yearly and strategic goals. The scientist will assist in the training of Kemin Nutrisurance staff in pet palatability and will assist the commercial group in presenting product information to current and potential customers.

õ? Research and Development Interface: The Principal Research Scientist will participate with Nutrisurance Technical Services, Nutrisurance CLS and with Nutrisurance Research and Development to identify and develop those products that best fit customer needs and Kemin Nutrisurance goals.

õ? Customer Service: The Principal Research Scientist will provide technical input in the identification of customer opportunities and resolving customer/product technical problems. Kemin Nutrisurance customer service must be superior to competition and meet/exceed customer expectations.

Secondary Responsibilities:
õ? Budgeting: The Principal Research Scientist will develop, implement and monitor their personal budget in conjunction with other functional groups to achieve the annual financial goals of Kemin Nutrisurance. They will also work in conjunction with the Nutrisurance staff to develop, implement and monitor the research and development budget for Palasurance.

õ? Strategic Planning: The Principal Research Scientist will be responsible for participating in the annual planning process and for identifying the objectives and tactics related to palatability product development and enhancement. The individual will provide input to assist in the strategic planning process for R&D and the operating businesses.

Decision Making and Freedom to Act: The Principal Research Scientist reports to the Nutrisurance Commercial Director Europe and will be involved in the short and long term planning of strategies and implementation of agreed upon activities. The position will manage a personal expense budget as well as the effective use of development resources and support services. Integrity is a must in all activities.

Working Con***ions: The position will be located in Europe in the Kemin Europa offices in Herentals, Belgium. Frequent overnight travel (30% or more) is necessary in the fulfillment of this position as well as travel to international locations in support of the global pet food program. Kemin welcomes international inquiries meeting the requirements of this position description. Kemin has an International Assignment Policy for the needs of expatriates.

Educational Requirements: Minimum requirements for this position are a graduate degree in food science, biochemistry or chemistry with a focus on analytical chemistry. Ad***ionally, three to five years experience in flavor chemistry research or flavor/ingredient development is needed.

Experience Requirements: The candidate will have a minimum of five years experience in the animal agriculture/animal health/pet food/human food industry. It is desirable that the scientist is familiar with the pet food industry and has been successful in working with pet food manufactures and palatability enhancement. Experience in product development is required. The candidate can demonstrate success working in a team environment and in providing solutions to industrial (large) accounts. The ideal candidate has been a member of a technical service and/or research team that has been successful in introducing new products and concepts to targeted customer and or markets in conjunction with sales and marketing. The scientist can demonstrate superior communication skills; verbal, written and presentation.

Send or email a letter of interest and resume/CV to Leen Van Genechten, Sr. Human Resources Manager, Kemin Europa N.V., Industriezone Wolfstee, Toekomstlaan 42, 2200 Herentals, Belgium (leen.vangenechten@kemin.com). Visit www.kemin.com