Scientist, R&D

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Full Time San Antonio, TX, US

4 days ago Requisition

Job Title: Scientist, R&D

Reports To: R&D Manager

Department / Group: New Product Development - Retail

Position Type: Full-Time

Exemption Status: Yes

Pay / Salary Range: $ 70,000 - $80,000.00

Travel Required: Yes

Revision Status: July 2026

Date Created: July 2026

Finlays Solutions is a leading partner to the B2B beverage manufacturing industry, recognized for its deep expertise, strong industry relationships, and commitment to innovation. The company plays a central role in supporting beverage brands, flavor houses, private label partners, and manufacturers through high-quality products, technical capabilities, and collaborative problem-solving. With a strong presence in the ready-to-drink beverage market, Finlays Solutions focuses on identifying emerging opportunities, expanding into new market spaces, and delivering solutions that meet evolving customer and consumer needs.

Finlays Solutions operates with a strong commitment to its mission, values, ethics, and long-term goals, ensuring that every initiative reflects the company’s dedication to integrity, partnership, and sustainable success.

The R&D Scientist is responsible for bringing new extracts and concentrates from concept to commercialization, as well as supporting cost savings and product improvement projects. This role is hands-on, working collaboratively with cross‑functional internal teams as well as interacting directly with customers to deliver innovative, scalable solutions

• Participate in the development of various beverage prototypes from concept to commercialization, effectively documenting all ingredients, formulations, and processing directions
• Conduct shelf-life stability trials to document changes in sensory and analytical properties that limit product shelf-life
• Work with outside applications to deliver and develop DOE of new processes and ingredient technologies
• Pass and complete sensory training to support coffee cuppings, administer differential testing and descriptive panels
• Key account management- representing Finlays as the primary R&D counterpart
  • Develop new innovative products and proactive formulations
  • Lab produced benchtop samples for consumer and customer tastings
  • ERP data system entry and formula approvals for product launches

• Attend continuing education workshops/conferences, as needed
• Travel as necessary to various Finlay facilities, customer locations, suppliers, co-manufacturers and trade shows
• Routine lab equipment calibration and maintenance as directed
• Interact directly with sales, marketing and customers as a subject matter expert in products and capabilities

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field with 2+ years of experience OR 5+ years of experience in a related science/field within the food industry.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMP, regulatory, and labelling laws
• Understand analytical parameters necessary for specification development and shelf-life analysis
• New product development and stage-gate product launch experience
• Ability to taste differences in products; good sense of smell and taste; good judge of color variations and willing/able to consume juice, coffee, tea, caffeine, and dairy products
• Work effectively independently as well as part of cross functional and multi-disciplinary teams
• Effectively communicate technical information to a non-technical audience (internal and external stakeholders)

• Willingness to work additional hours, and tailor schedule appropriately, to support team goals and meet deadlines
• Must possess adequate vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills to meet essential job performance and safety standards
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and regularly perform physical tasks such as pushing, pulling, lifting, climbing, bending, stooping, squatting, and using hands for detailed tasks
• Work environment sometimes…