Senior Food Scientist
About The Position
The Senior Food Scientist serves as the resident expert in sauces, dips, and syrups, using scientific principles to research, develop, and improve existing and new products. The position requires practical, technical, and analytical skills, along with experience in sauce development. The role is based in a laboratory within a manufacturing facility. The Senior Food Scientist independently leads product development projects and develops formulations that meet cost, quality, and customer expectations. The role applies scientific methods to evaluate ingredients and finished products, collaborates with customers and cross-functional teams, and uses internal resources, consultants, and vendors to move projects forward. It also supports Sales in customer meetings, maintains development documentation, analyzes product-development and stability data, mentors junior team members, and provides technical support to Production and Quality. The position acts as a backup to the Director of R&D as needed and monitors industry developments for product opportunities.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Chemistry, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of experience in consumer packaged goods (CPG) product development.
- Strong knowledge of food science principles and ingredient functionality.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to translate technical information for diverse audiences.
- Curiosity, creativity, and commitment to continuous learning.
- Adaptability and resilience in managing project challenges and shifting priorities.
- Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to travel up to 10%, including air and ground transportation.
- Ability and willingness to taste and evaluate products containing common allergens.
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 40 pounds.
- Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, or varied shifts as business needs require.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Chemistry, or a related field.
- Experience in sauces, dressings, or similar product categories.
- Expertise in at least one food science discipline.
Responsibilities
- Independently lead product development projects and deliver formulations that meet cost, quality, and customer expectations.
- Apply scientific methodologies to evaluate the chemical, physical, and sensory characteristics of ingredients and finished products.
- Collaborate with customers and cross-functional teams to co-develop innovative product solutions.
- Use internal resources, external consultants, and vendor partnerships to advance projects and meet established timelines.
- Support Sales as a technical representative during customer meetings and presentations.
- Maintain accurate and comprehensive documentation, including formulas, test results, and development notes.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret product-development and stability-testing data, and provide actionable recommendations.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior team members.
- Serve as an on-site technical resource for Production and Quality teams.
- Act as a backup to the Director of R&D as needed.
- Monitor industry trends, ingredients, and emerging technologies to identify new product opportunities.
- Travel up to 10%, including by air and ground transportation.
- Taste and evaluate products containing common allergens, including nuts, soy, dairy, eggs, wheat, sesame, shellfish, and mustard.
- Occasionally lift up to 40 pounds.
- Work weekends, holidays, or varied shifts as business needs require.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
