Product Development Scientist
About The Position
The Product Development Scientist will be responsible for assisting the R&D Director with product development and day-to-day operations within the department - running benchtop trials, preparing and shipping samples, managing product studies, evaluating new and alternative ingredients, maintaining formulas, ingredient documentation, and specifications, and supporting scale-up at our co-manufacturing partners. The role reports to the R&D Director and collaborates with Operations, Quality & Compliance, Procurement, and Marketing. This role is built for someone who loves hands on product development and wants to learn and grow in all areas of R&D and from taking products from an idea to the shelf alongside an experienced team. If that sounds like you, come build with us.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Chemistry, Biology, or Nutrition
- 2-4 years of experience in the food industry
- Hands-on experience with bench and pilot product development
- Strong attention to detail
- Analytical mindset - comfortable with formula math, unit conversions, % solids, Brix
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel
- Clear written and verbal communication skills
- Willingness to spend the majority of your time on your feet in the lab
Nice To Haves
- Experience in frozen desserts, ice cream, or frozen novelty manufacturing
- Experience with nutrition analysis software (Tech Wizard, Genesis R&D, or equivalent)
- Familiarity with ERP systems, particularly Microsoft Dynamics Business Central
- Experience supporting trials at contract manufacturers or co-packing operations
- Familiarity with FDA 21 CFR food labeling requirements
Responsibilities
- Develop new formulas, formula improvements, and product renovations at benchtop and pilot scale
- Produce samples for internal evaluation, retailer presentations, and product testing
- Design, run, and document shelf-life, stability, and product performance studies
- Evaluate new and alternative ingredients through comparison samples, sensory analysis, and written findings
- Support trial production at co-manufacturing facilities - plan, attend, and provide on-site technical support
- Own ingredient sample qualification logistics - ordering, receiving, tracking, and follow-up
- Manage the collection and exchange of technical documentation (specs, COAs, certifications, batch sheets) with suppliers and co-manufacturing partners
- Build nutrition facts panels and ingredient declarations for new and revised products
- Write and own finished product and internal ingredient specifications
- Manage Ingredient documentation collection for new ingredients
- Review packaging artwork review for nutrition panel and ingredient deck accuracy
- Coordinate ingredient sample ordering, receiving, and qualification logistics
- Maintain bills of materials (BOMs), recipe sheets, and batch documentation for active products
- Run the R&D lab - ingredient inventory, cleaning and sanitation, and equipment care.
- Provide formula data and supporting documentation for certification programs (Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher)
- Partner with Operations, Quality & Compliance, and Procurement on day-to-day R&D needs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
