Product Evaluation Technician II

Within our Corporate Cheese Business Unit located in Denver – Leprino is seeking a R&D Test Kitchen Cook II, to move our organization to even larger levels of cheese and dairy ingredient growth! We take pride in our vision to be "world's best", it is why we work harder, invest more, and continually innovate.

At Leprino, starting compensation for this role typically ranges between $26.72 and $30.73. This position has an annual target bonus of 3.5%.

What You'll Do:

• Prepare, organize, and package cheese samples for product evaluations, customer submissions, and development projects.
• Coordinate product evaluations by documenting results, organizing feedback, and creating clear reports for internal teams.
• Maintain an organized test kitchen, warehouse workspace, coolers, and freezers through daily and weekly cleaning activities. Your work helps create a safe and efficient environment!
• Monitor kitchen and selected pilot plant equipment, troubleshoot basic performance issues, and coordinate solutions when needed.
• Build and maintain inventory of ingredients, packaging materials, and kitchen supplies to support daily operations.
• Access internal databases to gather product information, inventory details, chemistry data, microbiology results, and grading attributes.
• Support plant product trials by preparing materials, organizing samples, and assisting with evaluation activities.
• Help prepare and present products during customer dinners, demonstrations, and industry trade shows. Your contributions help showcase Leprino's products with confidence!
• Develop knowledge of dairy ingredients, food preparation techniques, and product applications to support ongoing product development and evaluation.
• Contribute ideas that improve organization, workflows, and product evaluation processes while supporting continuous improvement efforts.

You Have At Least (Required Qualifications):

• A Bachelor's degree in Food Science or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• A minimum of one year of experience in the food industry with exposure to food science, food safety, product development, or quality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience preparing, evaluating, or handling food products in a laboratory, test kitchen, research, or manufacturing environment.
• The ability to safely operate and troubleshoot commercial kitchen equipment, such as ovens, mixers, shredders, or similar equipment.
• The ability to travel occasionally to support plant trials, customer events, or trade shows.

We Hope You Also Have (Preferred Qualifications):

• Experience using SAP or another enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
• A Master's degree in Food Science or a related field.
• Experience working with dairy ingredients, dairy proteins, dairy carbohydrates, or cheese manufacturing.
• Experience supporting customer product demonstrations, food presentations, trade shows, or technical product evaluations.

At Leprino, we believe in equal employment opportunity and make employment decisions based on each individual’s unique talents, experience, skills, and knowledge; we do not discriminate on the basis of any personal characteristics. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture in which all employees can thrive.

Offering You In Return:

A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit-Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.

Our Story:

Leprino’s history dates back to the 1950s, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We’ve grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino is the world’s largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the “World’s Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company.” From a small corner grocery store we have grown to over 5,500 employees throughout the globe. Will you join us on our journey?