Senior Scientist

Kinsa is recruiting for a: R&D Scientist (Cheese)

Location: Madison, WI area

Summary:
The R&D Scientist leads formulation, process optimization, and commercialization activities for processed cheese products (e.g., slices, blocks, spreads, sauces) within a high-volume manufacturing plant. This role drives product innovation, quality improvement, cost optimization, and regulatory compliance while supporting continuous improvement initiatives. The R&D Scientist works closely with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Procurement, and Commercial teams to ensure consistent product performance and successful scale-up from pilot to full production.

Compensation & Benefits:

• 80-115K
• Bonus
• Health, dental, vision etc.
• 401K
• Relocation assistance

Responsibilities:

• Develop and optimize processed cheese formulations using natural cheese, dairy ingredients, emulsifying salts, stabilizers, and functional additives.
• Conduct bench-top and pilot-scale trials and scale up to industrial production.
• Improve cost efficiency through ingredient optimization and reformulation.
• Optimize key processing parameters including grinding, blending, cooking, emulsification, homogenization, pasteurization, and packaging.

Qualifications:

• B.S. in Food Science, Dairy Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or related discipline.
• 3-5+ years of experience in processed cheese or dairy-based food manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with high-shear mixers, cookers, emulsification systems, and continuous processing lines.
• Demonstrated experience in industrial-scale commercialization.
• Strong understanding of dairy protein functionality (casein interactions).
• Knowledge of emulsifying salts (e.g., phosphates, citrates) and their role in processed cheese systems.
• Experience with texture analysis, rheology, and melt testing.

Referrals are our best source for the top talent our clients need so if you know of anyone with these skills in the food and beverage industry, please pass me their name and email/phone number, or share this job posting with them. Kinsa pays referral bonuses if someone you refer gets hired by our client!

Check out our other food and beverage industry career opportunities at .

Recruiter Information:
Dave Rothe