Best known for Little Debbie® snack cakes, America’s leading snack cake brand, Sunbelt Bakery® granola products and Drakes Cakes®, McKee Foods is seeking a Food Regulatory Specialist – Research & Development to join our Corporate Research and Development team. This role will support compliance, quality and technical programs, particularly those relating to regulatory compliant food label information and food ingredient quality and supply chain integrity. The individual will ensure that processes are complete, documented and well-founded in order to authenticate labeling information; and will support all aspects of ingredient performance and quality. The successful candidate will possess curiosity and the initiative to study and understand the background, full intent and detail related to the regulations and internal and external standards that must be met in our food labeling and ingredient supply chain processes. This is an exciting opportunity to work for a company and with a team of employees that is committed to providing quality snack products at an excellent value.

McKee Foods Corporation, a privately-held, family-owned bakery, has been in business since 1934. We have a long history of innovation and treating employees with respect, and a deeply held belief in the importance of doing business with integrity.

Pay Grade

Salaried grade 2, 5, 8, or 9.

$48,400 to $91,900 / year depending on qualifications and experience.

The base salary range represents the starting and expected pay for this position. Actual salaries may vary and in some cases may be higher with extensive experience and strong performance.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (other hours as needed)

Job Summary

• Develop, analyze and interpret information; and initiate and follow through on actions that support food labeling/regulatory, ingredient quality and food safety initiatives.
• Assimilate regulatory compliant food labeling and specification information; manage the information with particular care to accuracy and detail. Ensure that documentation is applicable, complete, and up to date; and ensure that processes exist to regularly review/refresh such information.
• Examine emerging policy, legislative and regulatory initiatives that may impact our business; and predict and report implications.
• Participate in and/or lead project teams or other initiatives that support quality and compliance processes and standards.
• Maintain ingredient, nutritional, food allergen and rework reference information; and make related recommendations that support and meet the needs of other internal departments.
• Collaborate among R&D, Sales & Marketing, Purchasing, Engineering and Manufacturing to gather, validate and utilize information related to new ingredients, new products, etc.
• Ensure function and efficiency of the nutritional audit program in verifying accuracy of required food label information.
• Ensure that printed food packaging information and related materials, such as advertising and social media, comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Regulatory Science, Chemistry or related scientific discipline.
• Proficient with various software applications including the Microsoft Office suite, with aptitude to exploit the capabilities of these and other software applications.
• Experience researching, interpreting and applying food regulations and scientific literature.
• Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail and care for accuracy.
• Understand of analytical testing methods for food ingredients or finished products and the implications of the methods/techniques used.
• Self-motivated and eager to learn; works independently while learning from, encouraging and supporting other team members.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of experience in the technical aspects of ingredient quality standards, food labeling, food safety, food analysis or quality assurance, etc.
• Experience with Product Lifecycle Management or similar systems.
• Knowledge of FDA and USDA food regulations and Global Food Safety Initiative standards, including supply chain preventive controls.

Benefits

• Competitive pay scale
• 401(k) with matching contributions
• Health insurance, including prescription drug plan
• Dental insurance
• Vision care plan
• Life insurance
• Paid time off (for vacation, holidays, sick time, personal time, etc.)
• Remote work options
• Exercise and recreation facility
• Profit-sharing program
• Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance (Premiums Paid by the Company)

Please upload your current resume to be fully considered for this position.