Product Development Scientist, Brand Maintenance

Ocean Spray is hiring for a(n) Product Development Scientist, Brand Maintenance! We’re a team of farmers, thinkers, creators, and doers. Whatever your title, whatever your role — it always comes back to this: we’re a farmer-owned co-op where everyone rolls up their sleeves to get the job done. Three maverick farmers started it all — and we’ve been making our own way ever since. 

We are looking for a Product Development Scientist, Brand Maintenance to drive initiatives in enterprise productivity, business continuity, and renovation of existing products. In this role, you will design and develop prototypes, conduct experiments to characterize novel ingredients and new formulas, work with cross-functional partners to see projects through commercialization, and use technical expertise to support our co-pack partners. As your experience and knowledge expand, you will take on increasingly complex projects, contributing to the advancement of our product portfolio.

Position Location: This will be a hybrid role based out of our corporate headquarters in Lakeville, MA with Mondays and Fridays remote.

A Day in the Life...

• Develop prototypes that balance innovation, nutrition, sensory quality, and cost targets, lead product experiments at bench, pilot, and plant scale for new and revised formulations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on developing consumer learning plans, prototype development, ingredient testing, and product launches.
• Coordinate pilot and plant trials, including materials, scheduling, and contingency planning, capture and share learnings to strengthen team knowledge.
• Conduct stability and shelf-life studies to identify failure modes and potential solutions, prepare and maintain technical documentation (specs, SOPs, reports).
• Manage multiple projects across different stages of development, approach product creation and challenges with curiosity, enjoy hands-on prototyping and tasting, and work well under pressure.
• Travel 10–15% to support trials and collaboration.

What We Are Looking For:

• BS, or MS Food Science, Food Engineering, biochemistry or chemistry with strong interests in product development. 
• 2+ years work experience with product development and product commercialization experience in food and beverage (can include graduate school experience).
• Willingness to evaluate a wide range of flavors and tastes on an as needed basis (no food allergies).
• Be comfortable working within food/beverages and analytical laboratories and work with various equipment in the labs, at pilot plant and manufacturing plants as needed
• Be able to lift heavy items (up to 50lbs), stand for extended periods (up to 10-12hrs) and work sometimes in no air-conditioned spaces for extended periods (up to 10-12hrs).
• Strong interpersonal skills and technical communication skills to influence key stakeholders both inside and outside of the R&D department.
• Detail-oriented individual adept at experimental design and data analysis. 

Education:

Bachelor's or University Degree (Required) Master's Degree (Preferred)

Work Experience:

At least 3 Years of Experience

Annual Salary:

$59,700 - $82,060

The base salary range information above serves as a guideline of the position’s typical hiring range.  We value and appreciate what makes you unique and will consider a variety of factors when determining an offer.  These factors include, but are not limited to, your skills and experience, external and internal benchmarks, as well as overall company considerations.  Certain positions may be eligible for short-term and long-term incentive rewards. We also offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports all aspects of your health and well-being.

Benefits:

• Complete insurance package on Day-1 that includes a plethora of health and wellness programs

• • Health, Dental, and Vision insurance

  • Health savings account

  • Flexible spending account

  • Life and accident insurance

  • Employee assistance program

  • Telehealth services

  • 1:1 health coaching

  • Supportive benefits for all the stages of your life

• 401(k) with up to 6% Company matching; additional potential discretionary match at year-end

• Short-Term Incentive/Performance bonuses

• Flexible scheduling options

• Vacation pay, up to three weeks of time (pro-rated for your first year of employment)

• Holiday pay for 12 holidays

• Career development and growth opportunities

• Tuition/Education assistance programs

• Access to Link