Sr Food Scientist

''•Appleton, WI

1d•$85,500 - $114,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Food Scientist reports to the R&D Global Snacking Innovation Director and plays a critical role in shaping the future of McCain’s Global Snacking business through Front End Innovation. As a subject matter expert in food science and product development, this role leads the creation, development, and commercialization of innovative snacking products that deliver exceptional consumer experiences and strengthen McCain’s competitive advantage. Working across a global network of stakeholders, the Senior Food Scientist translates consumer and operator insights into innovative product solutions, leveraging scientific expertise, design-thinking methodologies, and advanced food ingredient knowledge. This role serves as a technical leader throughout the stage-gate process, driving strategic innovation initiatives from concept through scale-up and commercialization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Food Chemistry, Design, or a related discipline.
Minimum 6 years of relevant experience within the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry.
Minimum 3 years of experience leading innovation-focused product development programs, preferably within the food design or food innovation landscape.
Experience working within a global organization and collaborating across multiple regions and cultures.
Experience partnering with researchers, product developers, ingredient suppliers, open innovation providers, agencies, marketing teams, and manufacturing/quality functions.
Strong expertise in food science, product development, food engineering, ingredient functionality, and food design principles.
Proven track record of delivering successful product innovations through scientific leadership and consumer-centered development.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making capabilities.
Ability to work effectively in ambiguous environments and drive innovation from ideation through commercialization.
Demonstrated success influencing and managing stakeholders across complex matrix organizations.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences.
Experience managing external partnerships with suppliers, academic institutions, consultants, and innovation organizations.
Proven leadership capabilities with a passion for fostering collaboration, inclusion, and innovation.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Food Science, Food Chemistry, and Food Rheology is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of product development capabilities within the Global Snacking R&D Innovation team, ensuring best-in-class practices are applied throughout product design and scale-up.
Translate consumer and operator insights into innovative product concepts, prototypes, and commercialization-ready solutions.
Provide scientific expertise on ingredients, processing technologies, manufacturing capabilities, and product functionality to support innovation initiatives.
Lead new product development (NPD) projects through commercialization, ensuring products deliver exceptional taste, quality, and competitive advantages.
Serve as the Technical Project Leader for assigned initiatives by developing project plans, identifying risks, implementing mitigation strategies, and driving cross-functional alignment.
Collaborate closely with Marketing, Manufacturing, Procurement, Innovation, Applied Research, Value Engineering, Technical Services, Sensory, and Nutrition teams throughout the product development process.
Develop and implement ingredient and technology-based solutions to improve existing product offerings, support cost optimization, and strengthen McCain’s market position.
Build and manage partnerships with ingredient suppliers, academic institutions, research organizations, and open innovation providers to advance innovation capabilities.
Establish and oversee product testing protocols, research methodologies, and best practices that support informed development decisions and robust product specifications.
Deliver technical expertise, training, and best practices to internal teams while contributing to intellectual property development and knowledge-sharing initiatives.