Food Scientist II/III

Danone•Louisville, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Food Scientist II/III leads development and commercialization of high-quality, consumer-centric yogurt products, with a primary focus on high-protein Greek yogurt. The role leads complex innovation, renovation, productivity, business continuity, and platform development programs from concept through commercialization and post-launch activities. As the R&I lead on cross-functional teams, the Food Scientist applies advanced expertise in formulation, ingredient functionality, processing, and manufacturing to deliver scalable solutions supporting category strategy and business growth. The position is based in White Plains, New York, or Louisville, Colorado, in a hybrid work environment. The employee may work from home according to a schedule agreed with their supervisor, but is expected to report regularly to the assigned office at least three days per week. The role includes 30% travel and may require support for plant trials outside business hours. The salary range is $90,000–$118,000. The exact offer depends on relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone USA also offers a performance-based bonus and benefits including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, a 401(k) plan, wellness program, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, flexible time off, and paid parental bonding leave, among other plan options.

Requirements

Degree in Dairy Science, Food Science, or a related technical field.
5–10 years of relevant experience.
Advanced understanding of dairy and/or fermented product formulation, ingredient functionality, processing technologies, and manufacturing systems.
Demonstrated success leading complex product development projects and programs from concept through commercialization, with strong attention to detail and execution.
Strong technical troubleshooting, risk assessment, and problem-solving capabilities.
Experience leading industrial scale-up, commercialization, and post-launch activities.
Ability to influence decisions across functions and organizational levels.
Creative, proactive, and self-driven approach, with a continuous improvement and growth mindset.
Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Flexibility to travel 30% and willingness to support plant trials outside business hours.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

Lead complex innovation, renovation, productivity, and platform development programs, delivering against consumer, quality and food safety, regulatory, operational, cost, and business objectives.
Serve as the R&I technical leader within cross-functional teams, influencing project direction, translating business needs into technical solutions, and driving stakeholder alignment.
Design and lead technical development strategies, bench work experiments, industrial trials, product evaluations, and consumer validation activities.
Apply advanced expertise in product formulation, ingredient functionality, processing, and manufacturing to solve complex technical challenges and deliver scalable solutions.
Develop and maintain ingredient specifications, finished-good specifications, and other technical documentation to ensure products are ready for commercialization and meet quality and compliance requirements.
Collaborate with suppliers, co-manufacturers, internal technical experts, and manufacturing sites to identify technologies, capabilities, and solutions that advance category objectives.
Contribute to category and innovation strategy by scoping ideas, making technical recommendations, identifying emerging opportunities, and championing continuous improvement.
Mentor junior scientists, lead complex technical discussions, and strengthen R&I capabilities through knowledge sharing and technical leadership.