R&D Food Scientist

Butterball Farms, Inc. • Grand Rapids, MI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The 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 includes researching ingredients and packaging, managing formulations and nutritional data, generating product information, supporting costing, and coordinating samples. It also supports new-SKU commercialization, supplier and ingredient approvals, process development and control, packaging, labeling, HACCP integration, customer evaluation, food safety assessments, sensory testing, and customer meetings. The Food Scientist maintains knowledge of ingredient functions, inventory, and equipment capabilities; develops recipes; and applies creativity to production challenges while encouraging a culture of Food Safety and Quality.

This position is located in a production and processing environment, with potential exposure to cold temperatures, manufacturing equipment, concrete floors, and physically demanding, fast-paced team work. Good Manufacturing Practices and safety protocols must be followed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science; required.
• Minimum of 3 years 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, with a 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 guiding principles and commitment to a Food Safety Champion role.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered individually.
• Able to perform the stated physical activities, including prolonged standing, reaching, repetitive hand motions, walking, bending, twisting, climbing stairs, and lifting or moving weights as described.

Nice To Haves

• Food Safety Training.

Responsibilities

• Research and analyze information about projects, processes, ingredients, and packaging to support potential new-product development for customers and Butterball Farms.
• Maintain and organize current R&D formulation files and the nutritional database.
• Generate product information and nutritional data using the Labelcalc system.
• Submit draft R&D formulations and reformulations to Accounting for costing.
• Develop working knowledge of current ingredient inventory.
• Manage the sample-request process, from calendar scheduling through 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.
• Help 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 needed for new processes or process improvements.
• Work with Purchasing to maintain the current ingredient supply list and appropriate substitutions.
• Maintain an understanding 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.
• Serve as 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 and maintain 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, including development and internal promotion.
• Innovative and inclusive culture that celebrates innovation, continuous improvement, personal growth, and diversity.
• 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) providing confidential support for personal, family, or work-related issues.
• Comprehensive benefits plan including medical, dental, vision, critical illness, flexible spending accounts, dependent care, and accident insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level