R&D Food Scientist

Position Summary

The Food Scientist is responsible for the formulation, testing, and commercialization of new food products for Ameripack Foods. This role leads product development from concept through benchtop development and into full-scale commercialization, ensuring products meet company standards for quality, safety, regulatory compliance, and customer expectations. The position blends strong culinary expertise, scientific precision, and business acumen to deliver innovative products that drive growth.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Innovation

· Lead product development from concept through commercialization while maintaining brand integrity.

· Formulate, test, and refine recipes to meet quality, safety, regulatory, and customer requirements.

· Analyze chemical, physical, and microbiological properties of food products.

· Conduct testing to improve product preservation, packaging, and processing techniques.

· Develop and implement category development strategies to enhance supplier quality and innovation, aligned with the Foodservice Strategy.

· Develop strategies to improve financial returns and drive incremental sales growth.

· Create new products and programs that generate competitive advantage.

· Incorporate production planning, labor hours, and operational impact into product development decisions.

· Develop and maintain recipes, specifications, and training materials to support successful product rollout and ongoing production.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

· Test products for consistency, safety, and compliance with nutritional labeling requirements.

· Perform daily inspections of finished products to ensure adherence to customer quality standards.

· Strong knowledge of food science principles, product formulation, and food safety regulations.

· Experience with HACCP, nutritional labeling, and quality systems.

· Strong analytical, financial, and critical evaluation skills related to food products.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

· Work closely with production, quality, supply chain, and support teams to address product performance, quality concerns, and visual appeal.

· Collaborate with customer culinary teams, as applicable, to align product development with customer needs.

Education & Experience (Preferred)

· Bachelor’s degree in food science, Nutrition, Biology, or a related field.

· Strong culinary background with hands-on product development experience (required).

· Minimum of 5 years of experience in food manufacturing or food research and development.

· Demonstrated success navigating complex issues with senior leadership using strong influencing skills.

· Proven leadership ability, including team development and cross-functional collaboration.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong computer literacy required.

Organizational & Personal

· Exceptional multitasking and attention to detail.

· Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently.

· Creative thinker with a passion for innovation.

· Strong team player with the ability to collaborate across departments.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office, internet applications, and email.

Pay: $65,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,000 - $80,000