Product Development Food Scientist

Mizkan America•Mount Prospect, IL

12d•$84,900 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Are you passionate about food science innovation and eager to influence the growth of Mizkan America? Join the vibrant, cross-functional team at Mizkan America Research & Development as an R&D Scientist! We’re looking for a talented individual to lead product development initiatives within our Flavor Enhancers portfolio such as Mizkan, Nakano, and Holland House brands. As an R&D Product Development Food Scientist, you will have the opportunity to drive innovation, renovation, and maintenance of product lines, enabling growth and ensuring quality objectives and business continuity for Mizkan America. Your role will involve prioritizing and executing technical projects that contribute to the ongoing projects and Innovation Pipeline for the business. As a member of the Research & Development (R&D) team, the Product Development Food Scientist leads product development from concept through commercialization, driving projects across innovation, renovation, and maintenance that enable growth, uphold quality objectives, and support business continuity for Mizkan America. This role manages multiple projects of varying complexity simultaneously and completes work with minimal supervision. Success requires a proven track record of executing work plans and delivering results, along with a collaborative mindset, creative problem-solving, and the flexibility to pivot when priorities shift. The candidate will have the opportunity to drive projects across innovation, renovation, and maintenance enabling growth, ensuring quality objectives and drive business continuity for Mizkan America. Should have a proven record of executing work plans and driving for results. This role requires the candidate to manage multiple projects/assignments with different levels of complexity simultaneously and demonstrate the ability to complete the work with minimal supervision. Collaborative mindset, applying creative solutions, and pivoting when necessary are a must.

Requirements

Solid grounding in food chemistry, ingredient functionality, formulation science, and food processing technology.
Proficiency in benchtop and pilot-scale prototyping, costing, shelf-life evaluation, and commercialization experience
Working knowledge of Design of Experiments (DOE) and analytical/sensory testing methods.
Working knowledge of analytical testing methods and equipment
Familiarity with food safety, regulatory, and labeling requirements.
Strong written and verbal communication with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
Effective project management, organization, and prioritization across concurrent assignments.
Analytical thinking and structured problem-solving.
Collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable pivoting as business needs change.
Product lifecycle management (PLM) and formulation/specification systems.
Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for data analysis, documentation, and presentations.
BS/MS in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering,
Minimum 3 years of experience required in a technical function, or food related role.
Solid understanding of food chemistry, analytical testing, formulations, and processing used in food manufacturing.
Product development and commercialization experience.
Understanding of ingredient functionality and interrelationship of ingredients and process.
Strong communication skills, organizational, problem solving and analytical skills.
Good interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with individuals and groups at all levels of the organization.
Strong understanding of Design of Experiments
Willingness and flexibility to adapt to changing business needs and deadlines.
Ability to exhibit a professional businesslike appearance and demeanor.

Responsibilities

Design and develop new product formulations, lead portfolio renovation, and address customer product needs across sauces and meal solutions.
Execute the full development cycle, including feasibility assessments, prototype development, costing, benchtop and pilot plant trials, supervision of plant trials, recipe and plant documentation, label development, technical approval, shelf-life assessment, and technical support for initial plant production.
Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring adherence to commercial timelines.
Build strong relationships and collaborate with internal and external partners to optimize product development, evaluate technical problems, and recommend corrective actions.
Perform other duties assigned that support the overall success of the team, department, or organization. This may include participating in cross-functional initiatives, contributing to process improvements, or assisting with special projects as needed.
This list is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities required for this role.