R&D Food Scientist

Butterball Farms•Grand Rapids, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The R&D Food Scientist leads assigned product-development projects from concept and bench formulation through plant trials and commercialization, while providing technical support for existing products. This hands-on, customer-focused role turns ideas into products that meet expectations for flavor, functionality, food safety, quality, cost, and manufacturing consistency. The position collaborates closely with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Engineering, Procurement, and Food Safety & Quality, supporting a collaborative development approach that connects customer needs, sample development, refinement, and manufacturing scale-up. The role is based in a production and processing environment with cold temperatures, manufacturing equipment, and extended periods of standing and working on concrete floors. The position requires adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and safety protocols, along with frequent physical activity and lifting. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered individually.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, required; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered individually.
At least 3 years of experience in product development or a related discipline.
Strong knowledge of food science, culinary science, and flavor applications.
Broad process and equipment knowledge for scaling up laboratory formulations.
Familiarity with ingredient functions, inventory management, and substitutions.
Proficiency with R&D and food industry systems, including Labelcalc, PLM, SafetyChain, Tracegains, Repositrak, and Rizepoint.
Understanding of cGMPs, food quality, and food safety practices.
Ability to manage multiple projects and maintain detailed formulation and nutritional databases.
Strong collaboration and leadership skills, including the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
Excellent customer-facing communication skills and professional tone and temperament.
Creativity and innovation in product development and problem-solving.
Flexibility and willingness to share responsibilities and adapt to business needs.
Cultural alignment with the company’s guiding principles and commitment to a Food Safety Champion role.
Physical ability to perform the listed activities, including extended standing, reaching, lifting, repetitive hand motions, walking, talking, hearing, grasping, bending, twisting, climbing stairs, stooping, crouching, pushing, kneeling, and driving if applicable.
Ability to frequently lift and carry up to 10 pounds and frequently lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds; occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of up to 20 pounds and up to 100 pounds or more is also listed.

Nice To Haves

Food Safety Training.

Responsibilities

Provide research, data analysis, and summaries on projects, processes, ingredients, and packaging to support potential new product development.
Maintain and organize current R&D formulation files and the nutritional database.
Generate product information and nutritional data using Labelcalc.
Submit draft R&D formulations and reformulations to accounting for costing.
Develop working knowledge of current ingredient inventory.
Manage the sample request process, including calendar scheduling, sample generation, packaging, and shipping.
Respond to customer requests for information through formal sites and portals, including PLM, SafetyChain, Tracegains, Repositrak, and Rizepoint.
Work with Operations, Sales, Purchasing, Quality, and other cross-functional teams to commercialize new SKUs, including ingredient sourcing and approval, supplier approval, process development and control, packaging, labeling, and HACCP integration through customer evaluation.
Ensure new products are designed using an integrated quality systems approach that supports food quality and food safety.
Work with Engineering and Quality/Food Safety to research and identify equipment needs for new processes or process improvements.
Work with Purchasing to maintain the current ingredient supply list and suitable substitutions.
Maintain knowledge of current process equipment capabilities, improvement needs, and plans.
Support sales and customer confidence by meeting with current and potential customers on behalf of R&D.
Be an available resource for Food Safety Assessments.
Support sensory panel development and testing.
Create recipes using current and proposed products and new formulations.
Use creativity and innovation to solve production-related issues.
Study flavor, flavor utilization, and basic culinary science.
Cultivate cooperative working relationships with multifunctional team members.
Maintain knowledge of food ingredient functions for product development.
Encourage a culture of Food Safety and Quality.

Benefits

Opportunities for growth and advancement.
Paid vacation and holidays.
401(k) with company match.
Tuition reimbursement for approved programs.
Access to community resources and support services through The Source.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Critical illness insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Dependent care benefits.
Accident insurance.
Innovative and inclusive culture supporting innovation, continuous improvement, personal growth, and diversity.