Scientist/Senior Scientist-Product Development R&D Hormel Foods (Austin, MN)
About The Position
We are seeking a highly skilled Research & Development Scientist/Senior Scientist to drive product and process optimization initiatives across our Retail and Food Service business units. This role is responsible for improving product quality, increasing plant efficiencies, and identifying cost‑reduction opportunities while ensuring compliance with food safety and regulatory expectations. In addition, this position will investigate and evaluate emerging front‑end technologies, such as novel thermal and non-thermal processing, innovative food manufacturing systems, automation capabilities, and new ingredient solutions, to establish future innovation platforms for product portfolio. The ideal candidate blends strong scientific expertise with practical, hands on problem solving abilities, and enjoys working in an environment that bridges benchtop experimentation, plant line trials, and cross‑functional teamwork. Candidates with strong foundational experience will be considered for the Scientist level, while those with demonstrated leadership in complex projects, advanced technical skills, and significant industry experience may be considered for the Senior Scientist level.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Meat Science, or related discipline.
- Strong analytical skills with experience designing and executing experiments.
- Demonstrated success working in cross‑functional and processing facilities.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively across teams,
- Applicants must not now, or at any time in the future, require employer sponsorship for a work visa.
- Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.
Nice To Haves
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Food Science, Meat Science, or related discipline.
- Prior experience in cooked, cured, smoked and/or ready-to-eat meat products and/or shelf-stable consumer foods.
- Experience evaluating emerging technologies, equipment, or ingredients.
- Hands‑on experience running or troubleshooting pilot plant equipment or processing systems.
- Exposure to emerging food technologies or automation systems.
Responsibilities
- Independently identifies project opportunities and plans, formulates and conducts research to develop new or modify existing processes.
- Ability to understand and perform scientific benchtop work, which may include running pilot plant equipment, using complex software, conducting laboratory methods, training others on technical methods, etc..
- Conduct research to optimize formulations, ingredient systems, and processing parameters to enhance yield, functionality, shelf life, and sensory attributes.
- Partner with plant operations to diagnose and solve process challenges, evaluate capability constraints, and implement sustainable improvements.
- Develop and execute cost‑savings projects through ingredient optimization, process efficiencies, and yield enhancement strategies.
- Identify, research, and evaluate emerging technologies, tools, ingredients, and processing systems that can support next-generation innovation platforms.
- Assess technical feasibility, scalability, and potential business impact of new technologies.
- Provide clear recommendations on development pathways, required investments, and implementation timelines.
- Design and execute well‑structured experiments, pilot runs, and line trials using sound scientific methodology.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data to generate actionable insights, technical reports, and recommendations to cross functional team leadership.
- Serve as a technical resource for cross-functional teams, providing expertise in formulation, processing, capability assessment, and food safety.
- Build strong collaborative relationships with Operations, FSQ, Marketing, Purchasing, Engineering, and other key stakeholders.
- Lead multiple complex projects, from concept through commercialization, ensuring timelines, milestones, and deliverables are met.
- Proactively manage project risks and are able to quickly adapt plans based on new scientific results, data driven insights, shifting priorities, and business needs.
- Communicate project status, risks, learnings, and recommendations clearly and proactively.
Benefits
- Competitive base salary plus target incentive, discretionary annual merit increase, annual performance review, medical, dental, vision, non-contributory pension, 401(k) immediate eligible, stock purchase plan, relocation assistance, paid personal time (PTO), FREE two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
