Food Scientist

GoMacro LLC•Viola, WI

About The Position

As the Food Scientist at GoMacro, you will renovate current products, develop new line extensions, improve efficiencies, and enhance product quality within the food manufacturing facility. You will translate consumer and business needs into scalable technical solutions and contribute creative ideas to the innovation pipeline. The role collaborates with Manufacturing, FSQA, Marketing, Procurement, Commercialization partners, and R&D Technicians, while fostering continuous improvement. The Food Scientist develops and optimizes formulas and products for consumer appeal, manufacturability, and cost; creates concepts and prototypes informed by culinary input, technical innovation, and consumer insights; and uses food science and experimental design to validate products. The role plans and conducts scale-up trials, supports commercialization and product launches, maintains technical documentation, and partners with FSQA on food safety, labeling, and regulatory requirements. It also identifies improvement opportunities, trains production staff on process improvements and lean methodologies, interprets testing and evaluation results, communicates technical risks and recommendations, and keeps current on ingredients, technologies, trends, and industry practices. Travel may be up to 30 percent per year, when applicable, for visits to manufacturing facilities, external manufacturing partners, suppliers, and industry events.

Requirements

Two or more years of related work experience in food product development and manufacturing.
Demonstrated knowledge of all stages of the product development lifecycle and product development methodologies.
Experience collaborating effectively across organizational levels and functions and with outside vendors.
In-depth knowledge of food ingredient functionality, product formulation, and modification techniques.
Comprehensive understanding of manufacturing equipment, processes, and capabilities.
Ability to interpret scientific data, including sensory and analytical results, and apply it to commercialization decisions.
Working knowledge of food safety, quality systems, and labeling requirements.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with close attention to detail.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
Creativity, curiosity, and a passion for R&D.
Ability to multitask successfully in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to achieve results and commitment to developing technical and business skills.
Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, constantly evolving, high-growth environment.
Ability to conduct oneself professionally at all times.
Ability to taste, smell, and consume food products for evaluation.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Ability to walk, stand, or sit for extended periods in office, lab, and production environments.
Ability to adhere to GMPs and safety requirements at all times in lab and production areas.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science/Technology, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field is preferred.
Working knowledge of nutritional analysis software is preferred.

Responsibilities

Improve existing products and optimize formulas for consumer appeal, manufacturability, and cost.
Create new products and line extensions through benchtop product development using culinary input, technical innovation, and consumer insights.
Apply food science and ingredient-functionality knowledge and sound experimental design to develop and validate products.
Contribute product concepts and creative ideas to the innovation pipeline.
Interact with consumers, develop insights, and translate them into concepts, prototypes, and commercial offerings.
Plan and conduct scale-up trials with Manufacturing and, as needed, external manufacturing partners.
Partner with the Commercialization & External Manufacturing Manager on technical readiness and knowledge transfer for product launches.
Develop and maintain formulas, specifications, process instructions, and other technical documentation.
Partner with FSQA to ensure formulations meet food safety, labeling, and regulatory requirements.
Identify and lead continuous improvement opportunities to strengthen product quality, efficiency, and manufacturability.
Provide production staff with training and guidance on process improvements and lean methodologies.
Work with R&D Technicians to plan benchtop trials, analytical testing, shelf-life studies, and sensory evaluations, and interpret results.
Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Marketing, FSQA, Procurement, and other cross-functional partners.
Identify technical and commercialization risks, communicate them, and propose mitigation strategies.
Explain technical concepts, write technical reports, and deliver presentations to inform and influence decisions.
Engage ingredient suppliers and other external partners to identify and evaluate ingredients, technologies, and capabilities.
Apply scientific principles to evaluate ideas and opportunities, and stay informed about emerging ingredients, technologies, consumer trends, and industry best practices.
Develop technical depth and business acumen.