Scientist, R&D - Product Dev
$77,800–$97,300 year
On-siteGlenview, Illinois, United States
Job Summary
Design and execute product testing, analyze data, and document conclusions to support product commercialization for iconic brands like Kraft Dinner, Heinz Beans, and Philadelphia cream cheese. Create and edit formulas, process procedures, and specifications while conducting benchtop, pilot plant, and shelf-life assessments. Manage multiple research projects concurrently, prioritize business initiatives, and lead cross-functional teams through risk assessments and sensory evaluations. Travel up to 30% to internal plants and suppliers across the United States and Canada. This role requires a problem-solving mindset to drive innovation, quality improvement, and brand maintenance within a dynamic, cross-functional environment.
Required Qualifications
- BS in Food Science, Food Engineering, Dairy Science, Meat Science, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, or related field
- minimum of 2 years of relevant experience
- master's degree plus a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience
- PhD with no relevant experience required
- Product development and commercialization experience
- Understanding of ingredient functionality and interrelationship of ingredients and process
- Knowledge of consumer goods, food chemistry, analytical testing, formulations and processing used in food manufacturing
- Excellent communication, influencing, prioritization, and project management skills
- Strong critical thinking skills and ability to make connections to the big picture
- Ability to lead, coach, and motivate others
- Manage multiple assignments/tasks concurrently with the ability to question the priority of work
- Willingness to travel up to 30%
- travel could include (but not limited to): United States and Canada internal plants, co-manufacturers, and suppliers
Desired Qualifications
- Bringing a problem-solving mindset
- Support and lead the commercialization of reformulated or new products and successful transition from development to production
- Interact with Operations, Business Units, Vendors, Quality, Regulatory, Finance and Marketing to drive for results
- Create and edit formulas, processing procedures and finished product specifications that deliver consistent, high-quality products
- Execute benchtop, pilot plant and plant trials to support project goals as well as shelf-life assessments
- Coordinate with cross-functional teammates to organize product tastings and sensory evaluations
- Adapt and apply scientific principles to new situations/products, exhibit critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Hiring someone like this?
Get your role in front of qualified candidates on Sorce.