Welcome to Clyde’s Donuts!

Over a century ago, the Bickford family took ownership of Clyde’s Delicious Donuts. Since 1920, our company has grown to become a beloved name, known for our innovative and high-quality donuts that delight taste buds of all ages. Today, Clyde’s is a thriving, high growth, 4^th generation family-owned food manufacturer and a leading national supplier of donuts to the largest global retailers in mass grocery, convenience stores, and food service. Our Company is financially strong with a consistent track record of stability and growth under the careful leadership of the Bickford family. We invite you to consider a career with our special company.

Summary of Position

Reporting to the Head of R&D, the R&D Technician, Plant Trials conducts plant-scale trials for new and existing food manufacturing processes and products. This role bridges the gap between laboratory formulations and full-scale production, ensuring that product concepts are viable for manufacturing while maintaining product quality, safety, and consistency.

Location 1120 West Fullerton Ave, Addison, IL

Shift Generally, 8:00am to 5:00pm w/ 1-hour lunch.

Schedule Monday to Friday

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Collaborate with R&D, scheduling, production, quality assurance and purchasing teams to coordinate smooth execution of plant trials.
• Coordinate all aspects of plant trial set-ups including ordering and staging of raw materials and ingredients, equipment set-up and documentation of set-points and other controls. Ensure proper staging and sequencing of trial runs to minimize waste and maximize efficiency. Follow established trial protocols.
• Accurately record trial data, including processing parameters, product performance, yield, and deviations from expected results. Assist in analyzing trial results to evaluate process efficiency, product consistency, and adherence to specifications.
• Prepare and collect product samples from plant trials for sensory, microbiological, and analytical testing. Perform basic lab tests (e.g., pH, moisture content, viscosity, texture analysis) and document results. Ensure samples are properly labeled and stored.
• Comply with food safety, quality and safety requirements reporting issues to management.

Desired Qualifications

• Bi-Lingual English/ Spanish required.
• High school diploma with 3-5 years of food manufacturing experience.
• Food processing or packaging experience in an automated, high-speed packaging environment.
• Working knowledge of GMP’s, SQF, safety practices and OSHA regulations.
• Computer literate including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Able to analyze data, reports and plant performance working methodically through challenges.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in food science.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)

Desired Personal Traits

• A self-starter with a strong work ethic who operates with a sense of urgency.
• Upbeat, calm, and steady demeanor working with people in fast paced environments.
• Enthusiastic about safety, quality, and the customer experience.
• Principled, honest, ethical.
• Detail-oriented and highly organized.
• Collaborative with both the desire and ability to lead, train and mentor employees.

We Offer

• Target base salary range: $50,000-$65,000
• Position is eligible for annual bonus.

Base salary estimates are provided in good faith at the time of job posting. Job offers may vary based on the candidate’s education, certifications, job-related knowledge, skill, experience, geographic location, shift, and internal equity. Clyde’s may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.

Comprehensive Benefits

• Medical plan options including HMO, PPO and HDHP with H.S.A
• Dental Plan. Two plan options.
• Vision plan.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Short-term and long-term disability plans (Company paid).
• Group term life and AD&D insurance (Company Paid).
• Voluntary insurance plans Including life, AD&D, accident, and critical illness.
• Generous paid time off benefits and 7 holidays.
• 401(k) plan including 4% matching contribution and immediate vesting.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Various leaves of absence programs for life’s emergencies.
• Clean, modern, and safe facilities.
• Company-provided uniforms and an annual safety shoe subsidy.

Sponsorship Not Available

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. Applicants must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States and with Clyde’s Donuts.

Work Environment and Job Physical Demands

These conditions are common to production supervisors.

• Exposure to moving mechanical parts.
• Exposure to wet and/or humid conditions.
• Exposure to extreme hot conditions on such equipment as operating fryers and extreme cold conditions such as blast spiral freezers.
• Exposure to noise, dust, and fumes.
• Standing and walking on slippery floors.
• Working near equipment and other employees.
• Lifting of up to 50 pounds and movement of equipment.

Clyde’s Donuts is proud to be an equal opportunity/ reasonable accommodation employer