Associate Principal Bakery Scientist

Flowers Foods•Tallahassee, FL

21h•$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 the Flowers Foods portfolio, including core brands and private label. The role applies advanced food science and baking technology expertise to drive product quality, consistency, cost optimization, process improvement, and innovation in line with business and consumer needs. It calls for a self-driven, adaptable professional with business acumen who can advance product development amid ambiguity and change. The position involves cross-functional collaboration, bench-top formulation, shelf-life validation, R&D plant trials and start-ups, manufacturing troubleshooting, ingredient sourcing, and presentation of project status and results to R&D leadership and senior executives. Travel of up to 50% or more is required 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 the laboratory to production.
Ability to manage multiple projects, analyze data, solve problems, and assess and mitigate risks.
Ability to travel up to 50% or more for supplier visits, plant trials, production start-ups, and related work.

Nice To Haves

General baking experience with breads, bagels, English muffins, laminated doughs, and similar products.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with cross-functional team members on renovation, quality improvement, and cost-savings projects.
Prioritize and manage multiple projects with varying complexity and scope.
Follow company strategies and ensure cost of goods sold meets project hurdles.
Conduct bench-top formulation work and validate product shelf life.
Lead R&D plant trials and start-ups to ensure successful product validation and execution.
Troubleshoot manufacturing inefficiencies for recently launched products.
Solve problems by identifying, collecting, and analyzing data and using the findings to reach sound results.
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 knowledge of 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 covering EEO, harassment, safety, and Sarbanes-Oxley.
Perform other duties deemed integral to the job, including fulfilling work schedules and following attendance policies and other operating rules and procedures.