NOVATRA UTAHProduction Food Scientist
Location: Spanish Fork, Utah
Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site
Base Salary: $96,000 per year ($8,000/month)
Health Care Stipend: $600/month
About Novatra Utah
Novatra Utah is a science-driven manufacturing operation focused on advanced processing, analytical testing, quality systems, and commercial production.
We are seeking a Production Food Scientist to support day-to-day manufacturing, analytical testing, quality activities, laboratory operations, and production support. This position is focused on the accurate execution of established formulations, recipes, batch records, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The Production Food Scientist will work closely with production, quality, laboratory, and technical personnel to ensure products are manufactured safely, consistently, and according to established specifications.
Position Summary
The Production Food Scientist is responsible for executing established manufacturing processes and supporting laboratory and quality functions throughout production.
The ideal candidate is highly detail-oriented, organized, mechanically inclined, and comfortable working in a hands-on manufacturing and laboratory environment. This role requires someone who takes pride in following procedures precisely, maintaining accurate documentation, and producing consistent results.
This position does not primarily develop new product formulations. Instead, it plays a critical role in translating approved formulations and manufacturing procedures into consistent, repeatable production.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare products by accurately following approved formulations, recipes, batch records, and SOPs.
- Weigh, measure, mix, process, and package ingredients according to established manufacturing procedures.
- Prepare samples, ingredients, batches, and laboratory materials according to approved procedures.
- Operate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and production equipment.
- Support production activities to ensure products meet established quality, safety, and manufacturing specifications.
- Perform analytical and quality testing using established methods, including:
- pH
- Water activity
- Moisture
- Viscosity
- Texture analysis
- Other applicable laboratory testing
- Conduct routine product inspections and assist with in-process quality checks.
- Accurately record laboratory observations, production data, analytical results, calculations, and batch information.
- Review production and analytical records for completeness and identify or report deviations.
- Maintain laboratory equipment, production workspaces, inventories, and manufacturing areas.
- Follow GMPs, sanitation procedures, allergen controls, PPE requirements, and applicable SOPs.
- Assist with equipment qualification, process verification, validation activities, and commissioning of new equipment.
- Support implementation of new manufacturing procedures and approved formulations.
- Collaborate with technical and operations personnel to improve manufacturing processes and efficiency.
- Provide practical feedback regarding production processes, equipment, and procedures.
- Assist with updating SOPs, batch records, work instructions, and other manufacturing documentation.
- Maintain accurate inventories of ingredients and raw materials and ensure appropriate stock levels are maintained.
- Assist with raw material receiving, organization, storage, and material handling as needed.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding proprietary processes, formulations, manufacturing methods, and company information.
- Perform other laboratory, quality, and production support duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline preferred.
- Experience in food manufacturing, food processing, laboratory operations, quality assurance, or production support preferred.
- Experience operating food manufacturing or laboratory equipment preferred.
- Understanding of food manufacturing practices, GMPs, laboratory techniques, scientific documentation, and quality systems.
- Demonstrated ability to accurately follow batch records, recipes, SOPs, and manufacturing instructions.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation and data integrity.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with production, quality, laboratory, and technical personnel.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work safely and effectively in a hands-on manufacturing environment.
Preferred Experience
Candidates with experience in any of the following areas are encouraged to apply:
- Food or beverage manufacturing
- GMP-regulated manufacturing
- HACCP
- SQF
- ISO quality systems
- Laboratory analytical testing
- Batch manufacturing
- Production documentation and batch records
- Equipment operation, cleaning, and maintenance
- Quality control testing
- Raw material and ingredient inventory management
- Process improvement
- Equipment commissioning or qualification
- Cross-functional manufacturing environments
Physical & Work Requirements
- Full-time, on-site position in Spanish Fork, Utah.
- Ability to safely work in laboratory and manufacturing environments.
- Ability to stand for extended periods.
- Ability to lift and move production materials as required.
- Ability to wear required PPE and follow applicable safety and sanitation procedures.
- Occasional schedule flexibility may be required to support production, testing, commissioning, or other operational needs.
Compensation & Benefits
- $96,000 annual base salary
- $8,000 monthly base compensation
- $600/month company-paid health care stipend
- Full-time employment
- Hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing and analytical operations
- Opportunity to contribute to production scale-up, process implementation, quality systems, and commercialization activities
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone who enjoys making products the right way, every time.
The ideal candidate understands that consistency is the foundation of quality manufacturing. You should be comfortable working with established procedures, measuring and documenting materials accurately, operating equipment, performing analytical testing, and identifying problems before they affect production.
We value employees who are:
- Accurate – You pay close attention to measurements, procedures, and documentation.
- Reliable – You take ownership of assigned production and laboratory responsibilities.
- Hands-On – You are comfortable operating equipment and working directly in a manufacturing environment.
- Mechanically Inclined – You can understand equipment operation and troubleshoot basic operational issues.
- Organized – You maintain clean workspaces, accurate records, and controlled inventories.
- Quality Focused – You understand that small deviations can have significant effects on finished products.
- Collaborative – You work effectively with production, laboratory, quality, and technical teams.
- Process Oriented – You understand the importance of following established procedures and continuously improving them.
Success in this position comes from accuracy, reliability, strong documentation, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
How to Apply
Please submit a resume and a brief summary of your relevant experience in food manufacturing, laboratory operations, quality control, or production.
Applicants are encouraged to include relevant:
- Manufacturing experience
- Laboratory instrumentation experience
- Analytical testing experience
- Technical training
- Certifications
- GMP or other regulated-environment experience
- Equipment operation experience
Novatra Utah is an equal opportunity employer.
Pay: From $103,200.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
