R&D Scientist II (multiple positions)

General Mills•Golden Valley, MN

10d•Onsite

About The Position

General Mills is seeking an R&D Scientist II to join their team. This role involves collaborating with business teams and external partners to drive innovation and product improvements. The scientist will lead the development of high-quality, nutritious wet pet food products, manage multiple complex projects from conception to commercialization, and create technical plans for efficient product launch. The position requires independent consultation, design, and management of testing to meet business needs, enhance knowledge, and achieve cost savings. The scientist will navigate internal structures to assess ideas and scale-up processes, and effectively communicate with marketing and business partners to influence strategy.

Requirements

Master’s degree in food science, meat science, or related field.
3 years of experience in product development and project leadership.
3 years of experience applying thermal processing principles in the food industry, including heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
3 years of experience overseeing retort and/or extrusion processes for prototype testing and actively troubleshooting process-related issues.
3 years of experience applying food science, chemistry, and meat or meat-alternative processing knowledge to the formulation of food, including wet pet food production.
3 years of experience collaborating across internal functional teams (Marketing, Finance, Commercialization) and external partners to drive successful project and strategic execution in a global food company.
3 years of experience conducting consumer interviews and applying the findings into actionable directions and solutions for ongoing projects and product development.
3 years of experience designing and executing pilot plant tests to assess the commercial viability of multiple benchtop prototype product enhancements.
3 years of experience working with food ingredient functionalities and applications within complex food systems, including starches, proteins, fats, and hydrocolloids, and their impact on food product texture and functionality to achieve desired outcomes.
3 years of experience managing projects, including leading and participating in cross-functional teams to ensure projects meet critical path and timeline requirements.
3 years of experience leading and mentoring a small research team including overseeing their research project planning and experimental plans.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with business teams and external partners to identify opportunities for innovation, product improvements, or cost improvements.
Lead the development of great tasting, wholesome, and nutritious wet pet food products.
Manage and lead multiple technically complex projects from creation through commercialization.
Create technical plans, timelines, risk assessments, and mitigation plans for efficient product commercialization.
Independently consult, design, and manage appropriate testing to meet business needs, enhance foundational knowledge, and deliver cost savings.
Navigate the General Mills and Blue Buffalo matrix to vet ideas and complete initial feasibility assessments.
Communicate effectively with marketing and business team partners to influence pipeline and strategy.
Oversee retort and/or extrusion processes for prototype testing and troubleshoot process-related issues.
Conduct consumer interviews and apply findings into actionable directions and solutions.
Design and execute pilot plant tests to assess commercial viability of product enhancements.
Manage projects, including leading and participating in cross-functional teams.
Lead and mentor a small research team, overseeing their research project planning and experimental plans.