Principal Food Scientist

TreeHouse Foods • Omaha, NE

11d • $104,000 - $156,000 • Onsite

About The Position

TreeHouse Foods is seeking a Principal Food Scientist to join its R&D team at the Omaha, Nebraska office. The Principal Scientist serves as a technical leader within the Easy Eats business growth unit, independently leading complex product development and commercialization initiatives across the Dough category. The role provides strategic technical expertise, drives innovation, influences business decisions, and delivers new products, line extensions, product improvements, and manufacturing solutions aligned with business objectives. The position is a subject matter expert and key technical resource across cross-functional teams and business functions. Depending on business needs, it may be an individual contributor role or include direct supervisory responsibilities for one or more technical team members.

The role leads product development from concept through bench-top experimentation, pilot plant validation, scale-up, and commercial implementation. It applies advanced scientific expertise to complex product, process, and manufacturing challenges; supports customer and sales engagements; and initiates research and continuous-improvement programs. The Principal Scientist also coaches and mentors scientists and product developers, builds organizational technical capability, and leads cross-functional teams to deliver business-critical projects.

This is a full-time, onsite position based at the Omaha, Nebraska location. The anticipated annual compensation range is $104,000 to $156,000. Depending on the role, the successful candidate may be eligible for a discretionary merit award, bonus, and equity pay.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience in food product development, food science, or related technical roles within the food industry.
• Demonstrated success leading complex product development and commercialization projects.
• Advanced knowledge of food formulation, ingredient functionality, processing technologies, and product development principles.
• Strong technical leadership across multiple product and technology platforms.
• Expertise in experimental design, root cause analysis, and scientific problem-solving methodologies.
• Broad understanding of ingredient interactions and processing impacts on product performance.
• Ability to influence without authority and lead through technical expertise.
• Strong mentoring and coaching capabilities, with a passion for developing others.
• Excellent project management and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Effective written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Self-directed and resourceful, with the ability to drive results independently in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in grains processing, dough systems, baking technology, and related manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and influence strategic business decisions using scientific and product development expertise.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in multiple technical disciplines and as a key technical resource across teams and business functions.
• Apply advanced technical knowledge to complex product, process, and manufacturing challenges.
• Translate technical concepts into business recommendations for leadership, customers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Support customer engagements and sales initiatives by communicating product benefits, differentiators, and technical capabilities.
• Lead end-to-end development and commercialization of new products, line extensions, product improvements, and technical service initiatives.
• Manage technical project execution from concept development through experimentation, pilot plant validation, scale-up, and full commercial implementation.
• Ensure development activities meet project objectives, consumer expectations, operational capabilities, and business requirements.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Procurement, Marketing, and other teams to execute complex technical projects.
• Use experimental design, formulation science, and analytical methodologies to optimize product performance and manufacturing success.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, competitive activity, and ingredient innovations to identify opportunities.
• Initiate and lead research programs for formulation optimization, processing improvements, cost savings, and operational efficiencies.
• Identify root causes of recurring technical issues and lead cross-functional corrective and preventive solutions.
• Evaluate and implement technologies and processes that improve product quality, performance, and business results.
• Promote continuous improvement through knowledge sharing, best practices, and technical advancement.
• Coach, mentor, and guide scientists and product developers across the R&D organization.
• Build technical capability by sharing expertise in formulation, experimental design, processing technologies, and problem-solving.
• Develop cross-functional relationships and lead teams to deliver projects on time and within scope.
• Communicate project status, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to leadership and business partners.
• Balance technical, operational, financial, and customer requirements while driving stakeholder accountability and alignment.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits program with eligibility from the first day.
• 401(k) program with 5% employer match and full vesting upon enrollment.
• Four weeks of vacation available immediately, five sick days, parental leave, and 11 company holidays, including two floating holidays.
• Paid training and tuition reimbursement.
• DevelopU educational platform with more than 10,000 free courses.
• Inclusive working environment and Employee Resource Groups.
• Wellness and employee assistance programs.
• Potential eligibility for an annual discretionary merit compensation award, bonus, and equity pay.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed