Principal Scientist, R&D

Job Opportunity in Research & Development

Join our team at The
*** Company's Technical Center in client location, for a unique opportunity to contribute to our Research and Development department. This role offers a chance to be at the forefront of developing innovative new products as part of our Better For You initiative, a major growth category for the company.

Working with minimal direction, this position provides leadership and professional guidance in protein science and innovation within R&D. You will be responsible for process and technical leadership to enable the delivery of the protein Research and Development innovation program. Your role will involve designing and directing research efforts aimed at breakthrough protein products, advanced ingredient sourcing, and state-of-the-art processing methods. You will develop solutions to complex challenges in protein formulation, leveraging your expertise where little precedent exists and innovation is required.

The role involves leading highly complex new protein product innovation initiatives, ensuring technical rigor, timeline management, risk mitigation, and robust cross-functional collaboration. You will engage closely with technical, professional, and managerial staff of R&D as well as Manufacturing, Marketing, Quality Assurance, Engineering, and Legal departments to resolve technical and practical challenges specific to protein products. Interaction with other industries and institutions as required to exchange information and ideas on protein science and technology is also a key aspect of this role.

• Product, Process and Packaging Improvements Program Management
  • Partnering with Supply Chain to provide technical support to drive quality and value improvement in products, process, and packaging.
  • Assess current BFY product portfolio to identify and recommend improvement opportunities across finished products and ingredients.
  • Lead R&D process for product relocation and complex ingredient sourcing to optimize the Supply Chain network.
• New Product Development Project Leadership
  • Provide expert leadership and professional guidance in a scientific discipline or breadth of disciplines within R&D.
  • Lead and execute fundamental projects of significant importance, complexity, and scope, impacting the company’s current and future business interests.
  • Initiate projects or recommend termination as necessary, determine technical approaches, and establish objectives and approaches to execute projects.
  • Solve problems through application of knowledge, experience, and original thinking, and test solutions.
• Talent & Organizational Development
  • Provide technical coaching and mentoring to technicians and professionals.

• Experience leading highly technical innovation initiatives, including product development, quality improvement, cost improvement, technology validation, and process optimization.
• Experience with end-to-end innovation from upstream front end to downstream commercialization.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in protein formulation, recipe development, and process platforms (slab/slit, extrusion, enrobing).
• Preferred experience within the Better For You space, including ingredient functionality and formulation principles within protein and sugar replacement.
• Strong knowledge of various technical disciplines (Sensory, Research, Engineering, and Packaging).
• Understanding of the impact of key processing parameters in the conversion of raw ingredients and in-process material to finished product.
• Demonstrated influencing skills; strategic as well as tactical thinker.
• Proven administrative ability, decision-making skills, financial understanding, business integration skills, and technical expertise.
• Excellent mentoring and leadership skills.
• Advanced problem-solving and evaluation capabilities.
• Excellent technical troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be open to and comfortable with change.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, growth-oriented business.
• Approximately 20% travel required, primarily within the US, with occasional international travel.

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field required (Food Science, Chemical, Agricultural, Biological, or Food Engineering). Master’s degree and/or Ph.D. a plus.
• B.S. Degree with 12 years of applicable work experience or Master’s Degree with 9-11 years of experience or a Ph.D. plus 7-9 years of working experience.
• Experience in Process Research, Product Development, Process Engineering, and/or Product Commercialization.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in the Confectionery, Food, Consumer Goods, and/or Pharmaceutical industry preferred.
• Experience in leading the Product Development portion of multiple projects is required.
• Expert knowledge in the importance of the interactions of ingredients and process unit operations is required.