Expert Scientist, Product Development

Work Location: Chicago

Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.

Want to make an impact?

We are looking for someone that is strategic, self-motivated, and driven to explore new ways of thinking. This individual will lead product development and technical strategy for complex projects across the US & Seasonals portfolio of brands. This is a key role to enable the innovation strategy at Ferrara through providing strong technical leadership by creating strong technical project plans, executing with excellence through all phases of development for the commercialization process and acting as a subject matter expert in technical expertise & product development across the organization.

Ways you will make a difference

• Lead product development for technically complex projects from concept development to industrial commercialization execution with executional excellence and on-time delivery
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to technical development teams to create robust technical development plans, including contingency plans and technical risk management
• Guide and coach junior developers in organization on project management, technical development and technical planning from master product development expertise
• Act as subject matter expert for technical expertise & product development, both within R&D and cross-functionally, to advise on technology strategy and technical problem solving
• Partner and work closely with Marketing, Insights, Supply Chain, Operations, Quality Engineering, Packaging functions, etc. toward delivering on innovation strategic plan.
• Understands and demonstrates the Company’s core values.
• Work autonomously, leveraging a self-starter mentality, and ability to bring definition and direction to highly ambiguous situations.
  
  

Skills that will make you successful

• Product development capability, with proven track record of delivering results across all phases of product development project cycle from concept development to commercial industrial execution
• Technology understanding in both ingredient technology and process technology in consumer packaged foods (ideally candy confections) and ability to apply to product development
• Technical problem solving in applying knowledge of ingredient & process technology to novel problems to bring forward technically sound solutions that effectively manage risks
• Experience in new product development innovation, including ability to translate innovation concepts into prototypes and then effectively scale-up for commercialization
• Ability to effectively coach and mentor junior developers, guiding them toward sound technical approach and technical planning
• Very strong interpersonal skills with ability to influence with integrity through persuasive communication to win support at more senior levels within R&D, Operations and Supply Chain, Marketing and to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Good technical, analytical, and communication skills; ability to interpret data and distil into useful and actionable information.
• Self-starter, self-motivating: able to balance competing priorities without losing momentum and manage uncertainty and complexity in fast evolving CPG environments.
• Ability to create and use networks to actively seek and take advantage of ideas, best practices, and solutions
  
  

Experiences that will support your success

• BS in Food Science or related field required, Master’s preferred
• Experience in development of CPG food products (specifically commercialization) and/or developing strategies for innovation pipelines
• Experience in Sugar Confections preferred
• Experienced product development, with at least 10 years (ideally 15 ) across a range of types of Innovations for long-term with new technologies to close-in line extensions.
• Experience in all phases of product development from concept development to scale-up to commercialization execution
• Strong record of successful delivery of key deliverables against tight timelines
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and succeeding despite challenges
  
  

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Candy-2025-OE-QR

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $99,600 - $$139,000.