Product Development Scientist

Ocean Spray•Lakeville, MA

6h•Hybrid

About The Position

Ocean Spray is hiring for a(n) Product Development Scientist! We’re a team of farmers, thinkers, creators, and doers. Whatever your title, whatever your role — it always comes back to this: we’re a farmer-owned co-op where everyone rolls up their sleeves to get the job done. Three maverick farmers started it all — and we’ve been making our own way ever since. We are looking for a Product Development Scientist to drive initiatives in new product innovation and the renovation of existing products. In this role, you will design and develop prototypes, conduct experiments to characterize novel ingredients and new products, work with cross-functional partners to see projects through commercialization, use your expertise to support our co-pack partners, and provide technical support for clinical trial formula development and execution. As your experience and knowledge expand, you will take on increasingly complex projects, contributing to the advancement of our product portfolio. Position Location: This will be a hybrid role based out of our corporate headquarters in Lakeville, MA with Mondays and Fridays remote.

Requirements

BS, or MS Food Science, Food Engineering, biochemistry or chemistry with strong interests in product development.
2+ years work experience with product development and product commercialization experience in food and beverage – can include graduate school experience.
Willingness to evaluate a wide range of flavors and tastes on an as needed basis (no food allergies).
Be comfortable working within food/beverages and analytical laboratories and work with various equipment in the labs, at pilot plant and manufacturing plants as needed
Be able to lift heavy items sometimes (up to 50 lbs), stand for extended periods (up to 10-12 hours) and work sometimes in no air-conditioned spaces for extended periods.
Strong interpersonal skills and technical communication skills to influence key stakeholders both inside and outside of the R&D department.
Detail-oriented individual adept at experimental design and data analysis.

Responsibilities

Develop prototypes that balance innovation, nutrition, sensory quality, and cost targets, lead product experiments at bench, pilot, and plant scale for new and revised formulations.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams on developing consumer learning plans, prototype development, ingredient testing, and product launches.
Coordinate pilot and plant trials, including materials, scheduling, and contingency planning, capture and share learnings to strengthen team knowledge.
Conduct stability and shelf-life studies to identify failure modes and potential solutions, prepare and maintain technical documentation (specs, SOPs, reports).
Manage multiple projects across different stages of development, approach product creation and challenges with curiosity, enjoy hands-on prototyping and tasting, and work well under pressure.
Travel 10–15% to support trials and collaboration.

Benefits

Complete insurance package on Day-1 that includes a plethora of health and wellness programs
Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
Health savings account
Flexible spending account
Life and accident insurance
Employee assistance program
Telehealth services
1:1 health coaching
Supportive benefits for all the stages of your life
401(k) with up to 6% Company matching; additional potential discretionary match at year-end
Short-Term Incentive/Performance bonuses
Flexible scheduling options
Vacation pay, up to three weeks of time (pro-rated for your first year of employment)
Holiday pay for 12 holidays
Career development and growth opportunities
Tuition/Education assistance programs
Access to LinkedIn Learning
Scholarship programs for children of employees
Parental leave
Bright Horizons Family Solutions – Back-up care, tutoring, etc.
Adoption assistance
Bereavement leave
Up to $300 fitness reimbursement
Up to $300 massage reimbursement
Employee appreciation events
Employee discounts
Charitable giving