Senior Scientist - Applegate - Research and Development (Bedminster, NJ) - Remote Eligible

Hormel Foods Family of Companies•Bedminster, NJ

25d•$74,325 - $137,325•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Senior Director of R&D, the Scientist/Associate Senior Scientist/Senior Scientist is responsible for leading all stages of product and process development. This individual should be a motivated self-starter and collaborative team player with an excellent understanding of the product development process. Ideal candidates will share a passion for innovative meat and food products and demonstrate a desire to pursue smarter ways of making food. The position requires exemplary project management skills with an ability to balance multiple initiatives at one time. This position should be an excellent communicator of Applegate’s vision; capable of positively representing the company, our products and our objectives in a variety of situations both internally and externally.

Requirements

BS in Food Science, Meat Science, Food/Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline; equivalent relevant education and industry experience may be considered.
6+ years of progressive R&D or product development experience within CPG, with demonstrated experience developing and commercializing products at manufacturing scale.
Meat or protein product development and manufacturing experience are strongly preferred; natural and/or organic food experience is a plus.
Advanced understanding of food and/or meat science principles, including formulation, ingredient functionality, processing, experimental design, and sensory evaluation, with the ability to apply culinary principles with an innovation mindset to create consumer-relevant solutions.
Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships, collaborate, and influence across cross-functional teams.
Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information into clear, actionable recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability and willingness to evaluate beef, pork, chicken, and turkey products; travel as needed to support plant trials, production start-ups, trade shows, customer meetings, and other business needs; and proficiency with Microsoft 365 and relevant R&D systems and tools.
Demonstrates flexibility and initiative in taking on additional responsibilities and business priorities as assigned by management.
Applicants must not now, or at any time in the future, require sponsorship for a work visa.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Nice To Haves

Meat or protein product development and manufacturing experience are strongly preferred
natural and/or organic food experience is a plus

Responsibilities

Independently lead Innovation, Renovation, & Business Continuity projects: Lead R&D projects and new product initiatives from concept through commercialization. Define technical approaches, design and execute experiments, analyze results, manage priorities and risks, and deliver against project scope, cost, and timelines.
Pilot & Industrial lead: Plan and lead pilot runs, plant trials, and production start-ups, ensuring product, process, and package requirements are successfully translated from bench development to commercial manufacturing.
Cross-functional partner: Serve as R&D category/segment lead to Marketing, Sales, Regulatory, Quality, Food Safety, and Manufacturing, translating consumer, category, and business needs into actionable technical plans. Provide technical leadership to align product design, manufacturing feasibility, regulatory requirements, claims, and commercialization objectives.
Advance Innovation and White-Space Opportunities: Drive innovation by leveraging scientific research, industry developments, novel ingredient and packaging technologies, consumer trends, and competitive activity to identify and advance new product and technology opportunities.
Plan and conduct sensory evaluations for new and existing products, including evaluation design, panel coordination, virtually or in person, and interpret results, and recommendations for product or process improvements.
Solve Complex Technical and Manufacturing Problems: Investigate formulation, processing, sensory, packaging, quality, and manufacturing challenges using structured problem-solving and root-cause analysis to develop practical solutions.
Develop Strategic Supplier & Manufacturing Partnerships: Build relationships with and technically evaluate ingredient and packaging suppliers, co-packers, manufacturing partners, Hormel Corporate R&D, and other external partners. Assess capabilities, technologies, process fit, quality, capacity, supply continuity, and commercialization readiness to support business and product needs.
Maintain Technical Documentation & R&D Systems: Maintain accurate product, formulation, specification, experimental, sensory, shelf-life, plant-trial, regulatory, and supplier records. Effectively use and help improve R&D systems and tools to strengthen data accuracy, efficiency, and project visibility.
Partner on Regulatory, Quality & Food Safety Requirements: Maintain working knowledge of applicable USDA and FDA requirements and partner with Regulatory, Quality, and Food Safety to ensure formulations, specifications, labels, and technical documentation support applicable requirements and Applegate standards.
Support R&D Budget Management: Assist the Director of R&D with tracking and allocation of the R&D budget, including project, testing, supplier, travel, pilot, and plant-trial expenses.
Communication & Influence: Synthesize complex technical information, experimental findings, manufacturing challenges, and project risks into clear recommendations for technical and non-technical stakeholders, including Senior Leadership. Serve as a technical resource and mentor while identifying opportunities to strengthen R&D capabilities and ways of working.
Advance Applegate’s Mission: Translate Applegate’s commitment to “Changing the Meat We Eat®” into products and processes that meet consumer expectations, brand standards, regulatory requirements, manufacturing needs, and business objectives.