R&D Food Chemist II

PLZ is committed to product stewardship and innovation, strong ethical standards, sustainable operations and most importantly, the development of our people. Whether at our manufacturing facilities or corporate headquarters, PLZ prioritizes health and safety, and offers you the support you need to create the career you want, through engagement, equity and inclusion, and opportunity.

From household cleaning solutions to personal care products, and food to automotive lubricants, PLZ produces more than 2,500 different aerosol and liquid products in our facilities across the continent. We know that being the partner of choice for our clients starts with being the partner of choice for our employees. Learn more at  or visit

The R&D Food Chemist II will focus on formulation and development of new products, performance evaluation, raw material selection and qualification, sales sample preparation, technology transfer, technical documentation, and troubleshooting of technical issues. The role will also support the preparation and maintenance of Product Data Sheets (PDS), product specifications, nutritional information, and product label content in accordance with applicable regulatory and customer requirements.

Detailed documentation of results and strong communication skills are required, as well as the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and customers.

Key Responsibility:

• Develop and optimize food formulations and products to meet customer and market needs.
• Select and evaluate raw materials based on product requirements, performance, quality, and cost.
• Prepare product samples for customer testing and approval.
• Conduct formulation, performance, stability, and shelf-life testing and interpret results.
• Develop experimental plans, with guidance as needed, for short- and long-term product development projects using DOE and other appropriate techniques.
• Conduct proof-of-concept studies and evaluate the feasibility of new product concepts.
• Troubleshoot formulation, product quality, and manufacturing issues and provide technical recommendations.
• Prepare and maintain Product Data Sheets (PDS), product specifications, nutritional information, and other technical product documentation to support product development, commercialization, customers, and regulatory requirements.
• Calculate, compile, and verify nutritional values and ingredient information for product labels using formulation data, raw material specifications, supplier information, laboratory results, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support the development and review of product labels, including nutritional information, ingredient declarations, allergen statements, and other required technical information.
• Review product formulations and technical documentation to ensure consistency between formulations, specifications, nutritional information, labels, and customer requirements.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and provide technical support to internal teams, customers, and manufacturing.
• Research and apply relevant technical information, including scientific literature, patents, regulations, and raw material information, to support product development.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, formulation records, procedures, technical reports, Technical Data Sheets, specifications, and presentations.
• Provide technical and laboratory guidance to junior chemists and technicians as needed.
• Participate in technical training, brainstorming sessions, and other activities that support team and customer needs.
• Support and comply with SQF, HACCP, food safety, food defense, product quality, GMP, allergen control, cleaning and sanitation, and company safety requirements.
• Identify and address food safety and product quality concerns and elevate issues as appropriate.
• Take on additional responsibilities and projects as needed to support evolving business needs.

Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in Food Chemistry, Food Science, Nutrition, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field required. Degree in Food Science or Food Chemistry preferred.
• 3–5 years of relevant food industry and food product development/formulation experience.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, SQF, GMPs, allergen control, and FDA food safety requirements is preferred. PCQI certification or experience with preventive controls is also preferred.
• Experience conducting experiments and analyzing, interpreting, and communicating experimental data.
• Working knowledge of scientific principles, including food chemistry,…