R&D Scientist/Associate Senior Scientist -Foodservice Product Development-Austin, MN

Hormel Foods•Austin, MN

35d•Onsite

About The Position

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue. This position, located in Austin, MN, is within the FSQ Corporate Staff - Research & Development department. The role is responsible for developing and commercializing food products that meet customer expectations and business objectives, leveraging expertise in food science, meat science, and/or culinary arts. The position will be filled as either a Scientist or Associate Senior Scientist, depending on experience. The role involves transforming concepts into commercially viable products while ensuring quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing feasibility in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment. It also includes leading and contributing to innovation projects to identify emerging trends and opportunities for future growth, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver differentiated foodservice solutions and advance the company's innovation pipeline. Hormel Foods does not offer sponsorship for employment-based visas for this position at this time.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Culinary Arts, or related discipline.
2 + years of experience in R&D, product development, or related field
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication abilities.
Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively across teams.
Willingness to travel to manufacturing facilities, customers, and industry events
Must be a Citizen or National of the United States, a lawful, permanent resident, or have authorization to work in the United States.
Applicants must not now, or in the future, require sponsorship for an employment visa.
Must be 18 years of age or older

Nice To Haves

A M.S. or Ph.D. degree in Food Science, Meat Science, or related field.
Certified Research Chef (CRC) credential from the Research Chefs Association (RCA)
Experience in foodservice, protein/meat products, or value-added products product development
Knowledge of HACCP, FSMA, GMPs, thermal processes, and regulatory requirements

Responsibilities

Lead and manage multiple product development initiatives of varying complexity, coordinating cross-functional resources to deliver projects on time and within business objectives.
Partner closely with other Foodservice Product Development Scientists to generate ideas, solve technical challenges, share best practices, and advance innovation projects that support team, customer, and business goals.
Communicate and collaborate effectively with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to translate requirements into actionable development plans, solve technical challenges, and deliver differentiated foodservice solutions.
Conduct benchtop and pilot-scale experimentation using food processing equipment and manufacturing technologies.
Design, execute, and analyze product, ingredient, and process evaluations to support innovation, quality, cost, and operational goals.
Coordinate and execute plant trials, partnering with Operations and FSQ teams to ensure successful scale-up and implementation.
Identify and develop new product concepts, ingredient technologies, and white-space opportunities that support long-term growth.
Serve as a technical resource on formulations, ingredients, processing technologies, and product performance.
Maintain project documentation, formulations, specifications, and technical reports using product development and business systems.
Present project progress, technical findings, and recommendations to customers, leadership, and cross-functional teams.