Food Scientist

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Innovation

• Lead formulation development for new products, line extensions, and product improvements across assigned categories.
• Conduct bench-top experiments, pilot plant trials, and full-scale commercialization.
• Translate consumer insights, trends, and customer requests into feasible product concepts.
• Evaluate ingredient functionality and recommend optimal solutions for taste, texture, stability, and shelf life.

Commercialization & Scale-Up

• Partner with Operations and Manufacturing to ensure smooth scale-up from benchtop to plant.
• Develop finished product and process specifications, including formulas, SOPs, and supporting documentation.
• Identify potential production risks and develop mitigation plans to ensure product consistency and quality.

Technical Documentation & Regulatory

• Maintain accurate formulas, specifications, and R&D documentation.
• Ensure regulatory compliance, including labeling, allergen management, nutritional requirements, and customer documentation requests.
• Collaborate with QA on food safety, shelf-life studies, and product performance testing.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Procurement on ingredient sourcing and cost optimization.
• Support Sales and Marketing with technical insights and customer presentations.
• Participate in customer visits, product cuttings, and product demonstrations as needed.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Dairy Science, Microbiology, or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in product development or R&D within the food & beverage industry (preference in protein)

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of ingredient functionality, formulation, and food processing principles.
• Experience with bench formulation, pilot trials, shelf-life testing, and sensory evaluation.
• Familiarity with HACCP, GMPs, FDA/USDA regulations, and basic nutrition labeling.
• Comfortable working in both lab and plant environments.