Over the past 70 years, OK Foods has evolved from a producer of livestock and poultry feed to one of the world’s largest fully-integrated chicken producers, but our company’s core values of taking care of our people and producing only the highest quality products have remained constant. In November 2011, OK Foods was acquired by Industrias Bachoco out of Celaya, Mexico. Today, we employ more than 3,000 workers domestically in the U.S. dedicated to producing consistently high quality products our customers have come to expect from OK Foods.

TO APPLY - Please follow the link below to apply for the position within the company employment website: www.okfoods.com   / careers

Summary The Research and Development Director applies scientific and engineering principles in the research, development, and maintenance of foods. Will be the primary R&D person for Food Service and Retail business.               

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• The Research and Development Director conducts basic research, new product research and development of foods. 
• Develops new and improved methods and systems for food processing, production, and packaging. 
• Studies methods to improve quality of foods, such as flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, convenience, or physical, chemical, and microbiological composition of foods.
• Develops food standards, tests new products in test kitchen and develops specific processing methods, and confers with process engineers, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities                      

This job has supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Should have experience in both fresh and prepared products.

Education and/or Experience                      

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills                      

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. Ability to read and interpret customer specifications.

Mathematical Skills                      

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability                      

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills                      

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have extensive typing skills and knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software, preferably Microsoft Word and Excel. Other basic computer skills including knowledge of Windows software are also needed.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

•   Must have a valid driver’s license and qualify for the company driving program.

Other Skills and Abilities                      

• Employee must be available for office hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some after-hours work and light traveling may also be required for this position.
• Minimal travel is expected to visit customers. May include overnight stays.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 70 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work will be performed in an office, test kitchen, and production plant. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to extreme cold. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Note: Necessary safety equipment will be furnished.

OK Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer to include women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities.