Product Development Food Scientist

About Mizkan America

Based in Mount Prospect, IL, Mizkan America is a subsidiary of the Mizkan Group, a global, family-owned company that has been Bringing Flavor to Life™ for over 220 years. As one of the leading makers of vinegars, condiments, and sauces in the United States, Mizkan America maintains 12 manufacturing facilities that serve the retail, food service, specialty-Asian, and food-ingredient trade channels. We are committed to following our two core principles: continuously challenging the status quo and delivering only the finest products for our customers.

Our leadership seeks out, embraces, and implements ideas for improvement from all of its employees. Transparency and accountability are two key factors that drive our company’s overall management approach.

Based in Mount Prospect, IL, Mizkan America is a subsidiary of the Mizkan Group, a global, family-owned company that has been Bringing Flavor to Life™ for over 220 years. As one of the leading makers of vinegars, condiments, and sauces in the United States, Mizkan America maintains 12 manufacturing facilities that serve the retail, food service, specialty-Asian, and food-ingredient trade channels. We are committed to following our two core principles: continuously challenging the status quo and delivering only the finest products for our customers.

Our leadership seeks out, embraces, and implements ideas for improvement from all of its employees. Transparency and accountability are two key factors that drive our company’s overall management approach.

Are you passionate about food science innovation and eager to influence the growth of Mizkan America? Join the Mizkan America Research & Development as an R&D Scientist! We're looking for a talented individual to lead product development initiatives within our Meal Solutions portfolio of great brands such as Ragu and Bertolli.

As a member of the Research & Development (R&D) team, the Product Development Food Scientist leads product development from concept through commercialization, driving projects across innovation, renovation, and maintenance that enable growth, uphold quality objectives, and support business continuity for Mizkan America. This role manages multiple projects of varying complexity simultaneously and completes work with minimal supervision. Success requires a proven track record of executing work plans and delivering results, along with a collaborative mindset, creative problem-solving, and the flexibility to pivot when priorities shift.

• Design and develop new product formulations, lead portfolio renovation, and address customer product needs across sauces and meal solutions.
• Execute the full development cycle, including feasibility assessments, prototype development, costing, benchtop and pilot plant trials, supervision of plant trials, recipe and plant documentation, label development, technical approval, shelf-life assessment, and technical support for initial plant production.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring adherence to commercial timelines.
• Build strong relationships and collaborate with internal and external partners to optimize product development, evaluate technical problems, and recommend corrective actions.
• Perform other duties assigned that support the overall success of the team, department, or organization. This may include participating in cross-functional initiatives, contributing to process improvements, or assisting with special projects as needed.
• This list is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities required for this role.

• Solid grounding in food chemistry, ingredient functionality, formulation science, and food processing technology.
• Proficiency in benchtop and pilot-scale prototyping, costing, shelf-life evaluation, and commercialization experience.
• Working knowledge of Design of Experiments (DOE) and analytical/sensory testing methods.
• Working knowledge of analytical testing methods and equipment.
• Familiarity with food safety, regulatory, and labeling requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
• Effective project management, organization, and prioritization across concurrent assignments.
• Analytical thinking and structured problem-solving.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable pivoting as business needs change.
• Product lifecycle management (PLM) and formulation/specification systems.
• Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for data analysis, documentation, and presentations.

• BS/MS in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum 3 years of experience required in a technical function, or food related role.
• Solid understanding of food chemistry, analytical testing, formulations, and processing used in food manufacturing.
• Product development and…