Associate Principal Bakery Scientist

Flowers Foods•Tallahassee, GA

2d•$95,000 - $100,000

About The Position

The Associate Principal Bakery Scientist leads and supports the development, optimization, and commercialization of innovative bakery products across Flowers Foods’ portfolio, including core brands and private label. The role applies advanced food science and baking technology expertise to improve product quality and consistency, optimize costs, improve processes, and support innovation in alignment with business and consumer needs. It requires a self-driven, adaptable professional with business acumen who can manage development work amid ambiguity and change. The position works with cross-functional partners on product renovation, quality improvement, and cost-saving projects. It involves bench-top formulation, shelf-life validation, R&D plant trials and start-ups, commercialization, manufacturing troubleshooting, data analysis, risk assessment, ingredient sourcing, and applying sensory science and consumer feedback to product formulations. The scientist presents project status and results to R&D leadership and senior executives and travels up to 50% or more for supplier visits, plant trials, and production start-ups.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in food science, food engineering, or baking science, and/or at least 7 years of relevant progressive baking experience.
At least 7 years of bakery industry R&D experience in yeast-raised technology in product development, manufacturing, and/or operations.
At least 5 years of significant product development and commercialization experience with baked and pressed bars.
Experience scaling products from laboratory to production.
Strong knowledge and experience working with a range of bread, buns, and other baked products.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects of varying complexity and scope.
Ability to solve problems and identify, collect, and analyze data.
Ability to work proactively amid ambiguity and constant change.
Ability to travel up to 50% or more for supplier visits, plant trials, and production start-ups.

Nice To Haves

General baking experience with breads, bagels, English muffins, laminated doughs, and similar products.
Experience commercializing products at contract manufacturers.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with cross-functional team members to deliver renovation, quality improvement, and cost-saving projects.
Prioritize and manage multiple projects with varying complexity and scope.
Follow company strategies and ensure cost of goods sold (COGS) meets project hurdles.
Conduct bench-top formulation work and validate shelf life.
Lead R&D plant trials and start-ups to validate products and ensure successful execution.
Troubleshoot manufacturing inefficiencies for recently launched products.
Solve problems by identifying, collecting, and analyzing data and using the results to guide decisions.
Provide risk assessments, contingency plans, and recommendations to address challenges and mitigate risk.
Partner with Procurement to identify and source ingredients and leverage vendor expertise in ingredient functionality and applications.
Provide clear direction and project briefs to strategic vendor partners.
Apply sensory science and consumer feedback to optimize product formulations.
Present the status and results of key projects to R&D leadership and senior executives.
Comply with company policies and procedures, including those concerning equal employment opportunity, harassment, safety, and Sarbanes-Oxley.
Perform other duties assigned by management, including meeting work schedules and attendance requirements and following applicable operating rules, policies, and procedures.