Senior Food Scientist

Mattson • Foster City, CA

2d • $8,800 - $132,000

About The Position

Mattson partners with consumer packaged goods, chain restaurant, and food and beverage ingredient supplier clients to identify and execute new business and product opportunities. Its work includes formulating early prototypes, developing branding, positioning and packaging, and testing products with consumers.

The Senior Food Scientist leads development of new products across multiple categories and all phases of product development, from initial bench work through commercial launch. The role considers technical factors such as food safety, stability, shelf life, scalability, cost, nutrition, and ingredient guidelines. It also involves mastering benchtop processes, working with Commercialization Managers on scale-up, assisting with commercialization trials, applying culinary principles to technical development, conducting basic analytical testing, and preparing technical documentation.

The position addresses complex technical challenges in food product and process development, manufacturing, and improvement. The Senior Food Scientist works with clients, client managers, food scientists, and contract manufacturers; manages multiple projects with overlapping deadlines; and may guide, coach, and train colleagues. The role is based at Mattson’s San Francisco Bay Area office, which includes a food development lab, brand development studio, consumer research facility, and pilot manufacturing plant. Domestic and occasional international travel may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Food Science or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of food and/or beverage product development experience, including commercialization experience; new product development experience is ideal.
• Demonstrated leadership ability through organizing small teams or projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Willingness to travel domestically and occasionally internationally as required by client and project needs.
• High integrity, commitment, and a strong work ethic.
• Ability to lift 30 to 40 lb.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Google Sheets, Docs, Slides, and the FlavorStudio program.
• Commitment to personal and professional growth and to the success of the company, clients, and fellow employees.
• Culinary degree, food service, or restaurant operations experience.
• Production experience.
• Quality Assurance experience.
• CPG experience and experience working in ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new products across multiple product categories and all phases, from initial bench development through commercial launch.
• Consider food safety, food stability, shelf life, scalability, cost, nutritional needs, and ingredient guidelines during product development.
• Master benchtop processes and proactively work with Commercialization Managers to develop scale-up processes.
• Assist with commercialization trials as needed.
• Apply culinary principles to technical development.
• Write technical and project status reports, protocols, finished product specifications, plant trial protocol and summary documents, and shelf-life studies.
• Use experience and problem-solving skills to address complex technical challenges related to food product and process development, manufacturing, or improvement, and make technical recommendations.
• Understand and conduct basic analytical testing in support of product development.
• Work with clients, client managers, food scientists, and contract manufacturers.
• Prioritize and manage multiple projects with overlapping deadlines.
• May provide guidance, coaching, and training to other employees within the job function.

Benefits

• 401K.
• Health benefits.
• Dental benefits.
• Health Savings Account.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Participation in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which provides the opportunity for profit-sharing.
• Fresh breakfast and lunch served in the office every Monday through Friday.

What This Job Offers

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