Senior Scientist, Product Development Sweet Baked Snacks

Job Title: Senior Scientist, Product Development Sweet Baked Snacks

Location: Orrville, OH

Work Arrangements: Hybrid, 60% or more office presence, travel up to 30%

Lead technical and hands‑on product development for Sweet Baked Snacks, designing experiments, analyzing results, and guiding products from concept to launch. Collaborate across Marketing, Insights, Product Research, Packaging, Sales, Engineering, and Operations to drive growth.

• Serve as technical leader, subject matter expert, and product advocate for the Sweet Baked Snacks portfolio.
• Lead cross‑functional collaboration with Marketing, Insights, Product Research, Packaging, Sales, Engineering, and Operations.
• Design and implement product development plans based on consumer insights, business objectives, and project learning plans.
• Formulate products meeting consumer, nutritional, operational, regulatory, and financial requirements.
• Design and execute product development activities from bench‑to‑commercialization: benchtop, pilot plant, and manufacturing scale‑up.
• Analyze and interpret technical data, translating findings into recommendations for stakeholders at all levels.
• Provide technical leadership and support to commercialization teams to ensure successful product launches.
• Identify and evaluate regulatory, environmental, and intellectual property opportunities and risks, including patent development and strategy.
• Drive innovation, product optimization, cost savings, and problem‑solving initiatives across the portfolio.
• Mentor and develop early‑career scientists, fostering technical growth and capability building.

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Bakery Science, or a related science, engineering, or technology discipline.
• 7+ years of product development, formulation, or R&D experience within the food, beverage, bakery, or consumer packaged goods industry.
• Experience developing and commercializing products from concept through scale‑up and launch.
• Experience designing and executing experiments, analyzing data, and translating findings into actionable recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects and influence decisions across cross‑functional teams, including Marketing, Operations, Engineering, Packaging, and Sales.
• Deep knowledge of food formulation, food safety, nutrition, shelf‑life management, and interaction with process and packaging.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to present technical information to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and thrive in a fast‑paced, innovation‑driven environment.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. and travel up to 30%.

• Advanced degree in food science or bakery science.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements, product claims, intellectual property, and patent opportunities.
• Experience leading pilot plant and manufacturing trials and supporting product launches.
• Experience working in bakery science.
• Culinary experience.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. No person will be discriminated against in hiring or in any other aspect of their employment on the basis of the characteristics protected by applicable law.