Food Scientist II

Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds • Lost Hills, CA

3d

About The Position

The Food Scientist II leads complex research and development initiatives that drive innovation, product optimization, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance across pistachio, almond, and nut-based product lines. The role provides technical leadership from concept through commercialization, applying food science and engineering expertise to solve product and process challenges and support cross-functional decisions. It requires strategic thinking and the ability to translate business, consumer, and technical needs into scalable solutions that improve product quality and operational performance.

The position leads product development and commercialization, feasibility assessments, plant trials, and commercial scale-up. It serves as a subject matter expert in ingredient functionality, formulation, processing, and product quality; oversees regulatory and labeling compliance; and leads sensory and shelf-life programs. The Food Scientist II analyzes technical data, maintains technical documentation and specifications, collaborates with teams across the business, promotes safety, quality, innovation, and continuous improvement, and provides technical guidance to junior colleagues and cross-functional partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master's degree in food science, food engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant industry experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact with all organizational levels, senior management, customers, consumers, and regulatory officials.
• Strong analytical skills, including math and Excel.
• Ability to perform arithmetic with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, and compute ratios and percentages.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and navigate ambiguity while owning projects from ideation through execution.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Hands-on, self-motivated, results-oriented, collaborative, and innovative approach.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and commercialization of new and existing pistachio, almond, and nut-based products using food science and engineering principles.
• Provide technical leadership on complex R&D initiatives, identify risks, resolve challenges, and advance projects in alignment with business objectives.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in ingredient functionality, product formulation, processing, and product quality.
• Lead product feasibility assessments, plant trials, and commercial scale-up activities.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, ingredients, and industry trends for opportunities in innovation, process optimization, and competitive advantage.
• Oversee regulatory and labeling compliance, including nutrition, ingredient, specification, and packaging information for domestic and international requirements.
• Lead sensory and shelf-life programs to assess product quality, validate performance, and recommend improvements to product stability and consumer acceptance.
• Analyze technical data and research findings and develop recommendations related to product performance, shelf-life extension, packaging, and process improvements.
• Establish, maintain, and communicate technical documentation, product specifications, reports, and project records.
• Partner with operations, marketing, sales, quality, and supply chain teams to align product development with consumer expectations, manufacturing capabilities, and business strategy.
• Promote safety, quality, innovation, and continuous improvement within R&D and across the organization.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior team members and cross-functional partners as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level