Food Scientist - Bakery - Decatur, IL area

Food Scientist – Bakery (Decatur, IL)

Utilize your food science expertise to drive sales through the development of compelling, innovative and winning bakery products. Work closely and cross‑functionally with R&D, Technical Services, Technical Sales, and Sales & Marketing teams.

• Lead the development of bakery food products, including bakery mixes and various flour‑based bakery and snack items.
• Provide technical leadership and strong project management for internal and external customer projects.
• Offer thought leadership and technical expertise for innovation initiatives.
• Consult with and participate in flour and baking industry research projects.

• Develop and optimize food product formulations.
• Design and run test formulations.
• Identify and develop cost‑improvement opportunities.
• Support manufacturing scale‑up from bench to pilot plant and pilot plant to commercialization, partnering with R&D as appropriate.
• Manage multiple product development and application projects with expedited timelines, leading complex cross‑functional initiatives.
• Develop and maintain technical–to‑technical relationships with customers.
• Conduct internal and external product demonstrations.
• Accompany Account Managers on sales calls as a technical contact.
• Communicate effectively in verbal and written forms, presenting products and technical information to peers, leadership, and customers.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends and new ingredient innovations and offerings.
• Possibly have direct report responsibility.
• Follow basic GMP, GLP and ISO procedures.
• Travel up to 25% of the time.

• Sense of urgency, acceptance of change, strong communication skills, technical knowledge, quality mindset, collaboration, flexibility, teamwork, problem solving, dependability, curiosity, integrity, and a commitment to safety.

• BS or higher in Food Science or a related field.
• 3 to 5 years of product development and applications experience.
• Industrial and/or retail bakery experience is valued.
• Hands‑on baked goods category experience expected (bread, buns, snacks, flatbreads, ready meals, sweet goods).
• Knowledge of food industry, food ingredients, manufacturing processes and food regulations.
• Food product commercialization experience preferred.

• Base pay range: $ – $.
• Annual bonus and long‑term incentive plan are part of the total compensation package.
• Eligible for medical, dental, vision, financial wellness programs, 401(k) with matching, paid time off, paid holidays, maternity and parental leave, tuition assistance, and professional development resources.
• Provides access to an employee assistance program, employee resource groups and other wellness resources.

This is an at‑will position. Pay may be adjusted at any time based on performance and market factors.

We welcome everyone to apply. We are committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, language, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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