Scientist Product Development

Mars • Chicago, IL

4d • $79,280 - $109,010 • Onsite

About The Position

The Scientist develops and executes new product formulations, line extensions, and product improvements across the Gum & Mints portfolio, including brands such as Extra, Airwaves, and Hubba Bubba. Working with cross-functional partners, the role translates consumer insights into great-tasting products, from initial benchtop prototypes through factory scale-up.

The position provides technical leadership for assigned innovation, cost-optimization, and ingredient-continuity projects, ensuring delivery within agreed timelines and budgets. It partners with manufacturing and factory innovation teams to validate formulations on full-scale production lines, and works with Marketing, Supply Chain, Packaging, Quality, and Procurement to assess feasibility and support commercial launches.

The Scientist also develops and maintains raw material, recipe, and finished-product specifications to support product quality, food safety compliance, and accurate costing. The role uses scientific methods and root-cause analysis to troubleshoot formulation, stability, and processing issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, a related scientific discipline, or equivalent.
• At least 3 years of FMCG product development experience.
• Hands-on experience in a food lab, test kitchen, or pilot plant environment.
• Project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience taking products from concept to launch.
• Strong problem-solving mindset and technical curiosity.
• Concise communication skills and stakeholder management experience.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, a related scientific discipline, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Design and test gum and mint formulations in the laboratory and pilot plant for sensory, consumer, or shelf-life testing.
• Lead technical delivery of assigned innovation, cost-optimization, and ingredient-continuity projects within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Partner with manufacturing and factory innovation teams to test and validate formulations on full-scale production lines.
• Create and maintain accurate raw material, recipe, and finished-product specifications to support consistent product quality, food safety compliance, and accurate costing.
• Provide technical leadership on projects and represent the technical perspective in cross-functional project meetings.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Supply Chain, Packaging, Quality, and Procurement to evaluate project feasibility and support smooth commercial launches.
• Apply scientific methods and root-cause analysis to troubleshoot recipe, stability, or processing issues.

Benefits

• Industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
• Variable pay.
• Medical and dental benefits.
• Participation in a 401(k) plan.
• Paid time off benefits.
• Learning and development support from day one, including access to Mars University.

What This Job Offers

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