Sr. Associate, R&D

Job Description

Location: Hybrid in Mountville, PA

Role Purpose

The Senior Associate, Research & Development supports the development, optimization, and commercialization of new and existing products across the snack category within Hain Celestial’s portfolio. This role contributes to innovation, renovation, quality improvement, and productivity initiatives, ensuring that all products meet technical, regulatory, and quality standards while aligning with business objectives.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Partner with cross-functional teams—including Marketing, Operations, Procurement, and Quality—to execute product development projects from concept to commercialization through Hain’s commercialization process (e.g., Stage-Gate), ensuring timely delivery of technical milestones.
• Independently conduct bench-top formulation and prototype development to test and refine product concepts.
• Plan and execute with appropriate supervision: plant trials, scale-ups, and start-ups. Ensures successful technical transfer from R&D to manufacturing with internal plants and co-manufacturing partners.
• Accountable for the preparation of benchtop prototypes and samples. Maintenance of accurate R&D batch records and follows lab GMPs. Partners with internal plants and external vendors to acquire ingredients and materials in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with Process Engineering, Quality, and Regulatory to develop product specifications, operating parameters, technical documentation, and food safety compliance (HACCP, SQF).
• Identify and support cost savings and process improvement initiatives, including ingredient, process, and packaging optimization.
• Supports analytical method refinement and coordinates nutritional and component analysis onsite and with external labs.Maintain up-to-date knowledge of category trends, emerging ingredients, and processing technologies relevant to assigned projects.Conducts competitive analysis and runs internal gold standard assessments.
• Work cross-functionally with supplier quality assurance and regulatory to ensure the acquisition of all necessary support documentation for certifications and regulatory compliance (e.g., organic, kosher, non-GMO, allergen, labeling).
• Organizes internal sensory evaluations, including ballot creation, sample preparation, and data analysis.
• Maintain accurate project records, formulations, specifications, and reports.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners (e.g., suppliers, co-manufacturers).
• Support multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring quality, timeliness, and adherence to business priorities. Ability to pivot / reprioritize projects as needed.
• Support sustainability and ingredient transparency goals through responsible sourcing and formulation choices.
  
  

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience in product development, preferably in a Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) environment.
• Demonstrated experience with plant trials and bench formulation.
• Strong self management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
  
  

Preferred

• Strong experience with running plant trials.
• Working knowledge the fried or extruded snack category, including better for you ingredients.
• Proficiency with data analysis.
• Familiarity with food labeling and certification processes (USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project, etc.)
  
  

Competencies And Proficiency Requirements

• Strong technical curiosity and problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to clearly express ideas and needs across diverse functions.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects
• Detail-oriented with strong documentation and record-keeping discipline.
• Demonstrated adaptability and initiative in a fast-paced, changing environment.
  
  

Scope

Financial/Budgetary Responsibility: None

Team Size: Individual contributor; may provide technical support to junior staff or interns.

Conditions Of Role

• Travel Requirements: Up to 20% travel to company headquarters, internal facilities, co-manufacturing sites, suppliers, and trade shows. Must have valid driver's license.
• Physical Conditions: Office and lab-based role with required work in manufacturing environments.
• Work Environment: Hybrid – in-office presence required at the Mountville, PA facility minimum 3 onsite days per week, up to 5 days per week as needed for projects and trials. Occasional night shift and/or weekend travel as needed for projects.
  
  

Compensation And Benefits

• $69,000 -$73,500 (commensurate with experience and location)
• Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Coverage
• Flexible spending accounts
• Disability coverage
• Life insurance
• Critical illness and accident insurance
• Legal and identity protection insurance
• Pet insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Commuter benefits
• Tuition assistance
• Adoption assistance
• 401(k)
• PTO
• Parental Leave
  
  

Hain Celestial is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. The Company does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, expression, genetic information, protected veteran status or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If you need accommodations for any part of the employment process because of a disability, please send an e-mail to talent@hain.com or call 516-587-5000 to let us know the nature of your request.