Sr. Scientist - Cheese/ Frozen Snacks - Golden Valley, MN

General Mills•Golden Valley, MN

57d•$93,700 - $140,700•Onsite

About The Position

Are you a scientific leader in processed cheese and emulsion food science? We are seeking a Senior R&D Scientist to become the Application team leader for a critical component of our Totino’s products - the cheese! Your primary mission will be to demonstrate strong technical skills in cheese systems, develop a pipeline strategy, and serve as a team leader in this space. In this role, you will be the subject matter expert on the intricate relationship between formulation, processing, and performance. Your work will directly impact the consumer experience. This is a unique opportunity to influence the entire product lifecycle, from raw material interaction and benchtop formulation to full-scale commercialization in the finished product. This position demands scientific rigor and a hands-on approach to problem-solving. You will collaborate closely with our R&D Technology and Operations teams. You will also directly work with the business and have the chance to influence direction in this critical space.

Requirements

Master’s or Bachelor's in Food Science, Dairy Science, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related scientific field with 5+ years of experience in product development or an applied science or a Ph.D in Food Science, Dairy Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or related scientific fields with 2+ years of relevant experience in product development
Demonstrated experience in product development for processed cheese, emulsions, and/or frozen foods
Willingness to travel (up to 20%)
Proven ability to deliver executional excellence and apply scientific rigor to solve complex problems
Ability to collaborate effectively in a cross-functional environment and provide key technical guidance

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in Food Science or a related field with a thesis or dissertation related to emulsion science, protein chemistry, or dairy/food lipids
Deep technical expertise in analog cheese formulation, emulsion science, protein chemistry, fat crystallization, and/or hydrocolloid systems
Proven experience solving technical challenges related to emulsion stability in complex food systems, particularly under the stress of freeze/thaw cycles
Demonstrated ability to lead technically driven projects from concept through to successful commercialization in a manufacturing environment
An innovative thinker with a strong bias for action, who is willing to challenge established methods and beliefs to drive technical breakthroughs

Responsibilities

Provide scientific thought leadership on cheese formulation through to the finished product experience
Apply knowledge of the protein-fat matrix, hydrocolloid interactions, and ingredient functionality to solve technical challenges
Act as the primary R&D liaison for our manufacturing facilities, troubleshooting various levers that impact ingredient stability and final product quality
Design and execute rigorous experiments to build a fundamental understanding of our processed cheese formulas, leading to a pipeline of cost savings, renovation, and core stabilization projects
Translate finished product needs into actionable formulation and processing targets
Champion food safety and product quality from ingredient design through production and finished product application
Collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, and key ingredient suppliers to deliver the business plan and drive continuous improvement
Ensure all product development activities comply with General Mills’ quality standards

Benefits

Beyond base salary, General Mills offers a competitive Total Rewards package focusing on your overall well-being. We are proud to offer a foundation of health benefits, retirement and financial wellbeing, time off programs, wellbeing support and perks.
You may also be eligible to participate in an annual incentive program.

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