R&D Scientist​/Associate Senior Scientist -Foodservice Product Development-Austin, MN

Scientist/Associate Senior Scientist – Food service Product Development
- Research & Development

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include PLANTERS®, SKIPPY®, SPAM®, HORMEL® NATURAL CHOICE®, APPLEGATE®, WHOLLY®, HORMEL® BLACK LABEL®, COLUMBUS®, JENNIE-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America's most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World's Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts.

This position reports directly to Development Leader – Product Development
- Research and Development.

Relocation is eligible for this role.

Travel: 20-30%

The position offered will be either a Scientist or Associate Senior Scientist position based on experience and qualifications.

Responsibilities:

The Food service Product Development Scientist is responsible for developing and commercializing food products that meet customer expectations and business objectives. This role leverages expertise in food science, meat science, and/or culinary arts to transform concepts into commercially viable products while ensuring quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing feasibility.

Working in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment, the Product Development Scientist applies scientific knowledge, process expertise, and culinary insight to develop, optimize, and scale products from concept through launch. In addition to supporting customer-driven and business-led initiatives, this role leads and contributes to blue-sky and white-space innovation projects that identify emerging trends, unmet needs, and breakthrough opportunities for future growth. The position collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to deliver differentiated food service solutions and advance the company's innovation pipeline.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage multiple product development initiatives of varying complexity, coordinating cross-functional resources to deliver projects on time and within business objectives.
• Partner closely with other Food service Product Development Scientists to generate ideas, solve technical challenges, share best practices, and advance innovation projects that support team, customer, and business goals.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to translate requirements into actionable development plans, solve technical challenges, and deliver differentiated food service solutions.
• Conduct benchtop and pilot-scale experimentation using food processing equipment and manufacturing technologies.
• Design, execute, and analyze product, ingredient, and process evaluations to support innovation, quality, cost, and operational goals.
• Coordinate and execute plant trials, partnering with Operations and FSQ teams to ensure successful scale-up and implementation.
• Identify and develop new product concepts, ingredient technologies, and white-space opportunities that support long-term growth.
• Serve as a technical resource on formulations, ingredients, processing technologies, and product performance.
• Maintain project documentation, formulations, specifications, and technical reports using product development and business systems.
• Present project progress, technical findings, and recommendations to customers, leadership, and cross-functional teams.
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Culinary Arts, or related discipline.
• 2 + years of experience in R&D, product development, or related field
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively across teams.
• Willingness to travel to manufacturing facilities, customers, and industry events
• Must be a Citizen or National of the United States, a lawful, permanent resident, or…