Product Development Scientist / Senior Product Development Scientist

The Product Development Scientist / Senior Product Development Scientist applies scientific and engineering principles to the development, optimization, and commercialization of food products. This role leads and supports projects of increasing complexity, from formulation through scale-up, while collaborating cross-functionally to deliver innovative solutions and drive business results. The Senior level demonstrates greater autonomy, technical leadership, and influence on project direction and outcomes.

Your Story.

You will apply scientific and engineering principles to the development, optimization, and commercialization of food products. You will also lead and support projects of increasing complexity, from formulation through scale-up, while collaborating cross-functionally to deliver innovative solutions and drive business results. The Senior level demonstrates greater autonomy, technical leadership, and influence on project direction and outcomes.

Your Passion. Our Culture.

At Sargento, you work for a company you believe in, with a family of people who believe in you. Our culture stems from a simple premise: Hire good people and treat them like family. At Sargento, you can make decisions based on how they affect people as well as the long-term health of our company. You will be encouraged to make a meaningful difference in the community, in the company and in your career. With diverse experiences and tools to learn and develop, you can transform your aspirations into reality. If you’re ready for the right place to belong and grow your career, you can find it here.

Benefits that set us apart.

• Comprehensive medical including Fertility, Adoption benefits, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Remote ½ day Fridays
• Onsite Health & Wellness Center
• Employer 401K contribution in the top 1% of the nation
• Relocation Assistance
• Tuition Assistance
• Access to Employee Store

What You Do. 

Product Development Scientist

• Demonstrates initiative, creativity, and thoroughness in the execution of all projects.
• Receives instruction on specific assignment objectives, complex features, and possible solutions. 
• Develops and evaluates technical approaches with supervisory guidance and demonstrates intermediate understanding of scientific principles.
• Studies and applies methods to improve the quality of foods such as flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, convenience, or physical, chemical, and microbiological composition of foods.
• Tests new products in test kitchen, develops specific processing methods in laboratory pilot plant and scales products up in manufacturing facilities.
• Has ability to interpret food standards, safety and sanitary regulations and good manufacturing practices.
• Other duties may be assigned.
• May coordinate work of technicians and others who assist in specific assignments. No direct supervision of employees.

Senior Product Development Scientist

• Performs duties above with more autonomy and initiative. 
• Conducts product research and development of foods.
• Maintains written technical documentation and product and process specifications.
• Participate and/or lead cross-functional teams charged with the development of new business opportunities. Develops strong cross-functional relationships.
• Collaborates with internal (manufacturing, engineering, marketing, quality systems, procurement) and external (suppliers, consultants) functional experts to help resolve issues. Recommends technical direction to management.
• Demonstrates initiative, creativity, and thoroughness in the execution of complex projects.
• May plan and conduct independent research projects and participates in the development of project objectives.
• Fully understands and applies food standards, safety and sanitary regulations, and good manufacturing practices.
• Studies and applies methods to improve the quality of foods such as flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, convenience, or physical, chemical, and microbiological composition of foods. Makes recommendations for process or product improvements and identify opportunities for new or improved process or products.
• Conducts or supervises the testing of new products in test kitchen, the development of specific processing methods in laboratory pilot plant and scaling products up in manufacturing facilities.
• Other duties may be assigned.
• May supervise a technician and/or intern.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Up to 20% of overnight travel required as needed to complete the functions within this position.

Your Education and Experience.

• Product Development Scientist: Bachelor of Science degree (BS) in Food Science or equivalent with three plus years of batter and breading application experience required; or Master's degree (MS) in Food Science or equivalent. 
• Senior Product Development Scientist: Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Food Science or equivalent with seven plus years relevant experience with three years of batter and breading applications experience; or Master’s (MS) degree in Food Science or equivalent with four plus years industry experience and two years of batter and breading applications experience; or PhD in Food Science or equivalent.
• Strong computer skills are necessary for this position, including word processing, presentation and spreadsheet software, SAP. 
• Cheese chemistry knowledge a plus.
• Current/Valid Driver's License required.

Our Story.

With over 2,400 employees and net sales of nearly $1.8 billion, Sargento is a family-owned company that has been a leader in cheese for more than 70 years. We created the world’s first, successful pre-packaged sliced and shredded natural cheeses. Sargento is based in Plymouth, Wisconsin, where we manufacture and market shredded, sliced and snack natural cheese products, as well as ingredients and sauces. Sargento is known for the exceptional quality of our products and for product design, packaging and merchandising innovations that have transformed our industry.

To learn more about our culture and values, please visit our website at https://careers.sargento.com/us/en.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.