R&D Sr. Scientist

Key Focus:

· Lead groundbreaking innovation and manage the full lifecycle of new product development, from initial concept to market-ready product.

· Stay on the cutting edge of the food industry by continuously monitoring emerging technologies, consumer trends, and innovative ingredients. you get a thrill in discovery by engaging in hands-on product development.

· Spearhead the development of new product prototypes across multiple categories, preparing compelling presentations for executive leadership, marketing, and cross-functional teams.

· Independently design, plan, and execute experiments that explore new product possibilities, while collaborating with your team to ensure speed, precision, and innovation.

· Lead trials and manage new product start-ups in close collaboration with plant teams, ensuring smooth scale-ups and high-quality production.

· Provide actionable insights by interpreting experimental results and offering recommendations on further optimization and next steps in the development process.

· Serve as a SME in R&D, guiding cross-functional teams to achieve project goals and delivering exceptional results.

· Prepare product specifications, label declarations, and formulations, incorporating knowledge of QA functions, plant audits, and regulatory requirements (including CA Prop 65).

· Knowledgeable about USDA organic regulations as they pertain to product development, and ability to learn similar information about global markets

· Manages multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion of project objectives in a fast-paced environment.

· Works with Finance and Supply Chain to develop P&L for new products.

· Creates samples as needed to meet needs of sales, executive leadership, and marketing.

· Travels to company-owned plants and external partners for trials, scale up, and product maintenance. (40-50% domestic travel) 

Ensures operational standards for quality, cost, lean manufacturing, food safety and sustainability by:

· Optimize existing products by enhancing product attributes such as cost, nutritional profiles, and ingredient statements, maintaining a balance of quality and efficiency.

· Collaborate with supply chain teams to vet and source ingredients from multiple suppliers, ensuring the highest quality standards and cost-effective solutions.

· Create comprehensive documentation, including processing parameters, ingredient specifications, nutritional information, and final product disposition.

· Works with Plant Operations to optimize run parameters.

· Ensure that all documentation is up-to-date in company systems.

Participates in ongoing product shelf-life testing of all new and revised products by:

· Leads the submissions for third party lab testing and works with QA on any deviations.

· Leads cross-functional meetings to ensure documentation and review of pre- and post- new product runs.

Assists in the assurance of customer satisfaction with quality, consistent products:

· Determines optimal final product specifications for new product development.

· Enters and tracks nutritional information using the Genesis program to assure accuracy of nutritional facts for new product packaging.

· Maintains up-to-date knowledge of legal requirements for packaging changes and works with QA and Regulatory, as well as internal team members, to maintain that knowledge.

Preferred background:

· Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, or related degree, and/or significant food industry experience.

· Minimum 6 years of New Product Development Experience – From Idea to Commercialization.

· Experience formulating better-for-you products, including USDA organic.

· Cereal extrusion, baking, and/or snack manufacturing experience required.

· Experience with Stage Gate environment.

· PLM software, supply chain software, MS Office, Asana helpful. Genesis required.

· Strong team-oriented mindset with the ability to work independently, manage ambiguity, and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.

· Self-driven, proactive, and resilient, with a positive, can-do attitude and a passion for problem-solving and continuous learning.

· Ability to present to the Executive Leadership Team and customers. 

Details:

· This role is hybrid out of our Oak Brook Chicago office, and pays between $135,000 - $165,000k with a 10% bonus.