Scientist II

Califia Farms, LLC•Shafter, CA

1d•$80,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Scientist II is responsible for executing new product and process development across Califia Farms’ portfolio of plant-based beverages. This role delivers innovative prototypes and scalable process technologies to support the commercialization of high-quality, nutritious products that meet the needs of environmentally and socially conscious consumers. The Scientist II leverages technical expertise and project management skills to drive innovation and technology projects to defined objectives, with a focus on speed, cost efficiency, and quality. This role also evaluates new ingredients and process technologies to identify opportunities for product innovation and competitive advantage. This position is fully onsite at our Bakersfield, CA manufacturing facility.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Science, Food Technology, or Chemical Engineering (with relevant food processing experience)
2–4 years of experience in R&D/Product Development, with demonstrated success commercializing new food products
Strong project management skills with a proven track record of delivering results in R&D or product development roles
Self-motivated, collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

Nice To Haves

Experience with plant-based products and familiarity with plant-based ingredients and processing preferred
Experience with aseptic beverage processes, thermal processing, or pasteurization technologies for ESL beverages and food products preferred

Responsibilities

Hands-on experience in product development from concept to launch
Ability to define important key development issues and to execute rapid prototyping
Conduct internal sensory evaluations to assess product quality and consumer acceptability
Create and maintain formulations, product specifications, processes, and testing procedures
Conduct lab experiments and manufacturing line trials to ensure process accuracy and product quality
Stay current on emerging food processing technologies and industry trends
Collaborate with Marketing to develop products aligned with target consumer preferences
Identify and drive product improvements, cost reduction, and operational efficiency opportunities across the core product portfolio
Execute and deliver projects that support top-line growth and improve gross margins
Manage cross-functional projects and collaborate with senior leadership, Marketing, Finance, Sales, and Operations to ensure timely product development and successful product launches, including: Resolving development and launch-related roadblocks Providing or coordinating regulatory input for new products Ensuring nutrition and ingredient labeling complies with Califia Farms and FDA requirements
Perform other related duties as assigned