Product Development Scientist

Job Title: Product Development Specialist

Client

Location:

Stamford, CT - HYBRID

Starting: 10/20/2025

Duration: 6 months (may extend)

• Identify technical solutions and deliver product formulation and scale‑up needs for the innovation and renovation project portfolio.
• Partner with Marketing to leverage and translate sensory and consumer insights into products from concept to launch.
• Lead overall product development initiatives from bench‑top formulation to scale‑up.
• Support associated industrialization trials in close collaboration with Quality.
• Represent the R&D team as subject‑matter expert for product development and product knowledge transfer to the factories.
• Collaborate internally and externally to build strong relationships to continuously improve technical capabilities and facilitate agile project management.
• Work closely with procurement team to ensure new suppliers/ingredients are qualified for use in current/future formulations.
• Lead consumer‑focused new product/formula development projects for all domestic brands (Pure Life, Saratoga, Mountain Valley, Splash Refreshers Still & Sparkling, Poland Springs, Deer Park, Zephyrhills, Ozarka, Ice Mountain, Sparklettes, and Arrowhead).
• Set and manage product development project plans and facilitate execution to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Hands‑on benchtop beverage development, scale‑up and industrialization.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Marketing, Quality, Engineering, Purchasing, Regulatory and Legal while leveraging external resources from ingredient suppliers, co‑manufacturers and other 3rd‑party resources to deliver project results and innovative new product formulations.
• Lead the qualification of 3rd‑party flavor houses, develop RFP/Briefs for new flavor/ingredient opportunities.
• Lead ingredient, product recipe and specification development deliverables through industrialization phase.
• Manage technical direction of projects; identify and communicate key deliverables and next steps.
• Manage complex business relationships with ingredient, process technology partner companies, contract developers and manufacturers, consultants, vendors, cross‑functional departments, and outside experts in support of achieving consumer needs and effective project execution.
• Effectively prioritize and manage multiple projects concurrently varying in length.
• Utilize the Primo Brands stage gate innovation framework to ensure full compliance with the Quality Management System and adhere to all relevant Primo Brands Technical Instructions for new product development initiatives.
• Support on‑going operations with recipe/ingredient specification changes and the qualification of new ingredients.

• Bachelor’s degree required in Food Science, food engineering or related field.
• Minimum 7–10 years of relevant work experience in product development, process scale‑up, quality or manufacturing in a CPG setting (beverage development highly preferred).
• Strong project management experience with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and in matrix environments.
• Demonstrated competency in managing complexity and ambiguity.
• Communicates in a timely, concise and effective manner, both written and verbally.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills; ability to effectively interface at all levels, influence with integrity, especially across functions.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, conference calls and present effectively to groups at all levels.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint and SAP.
• Understanding of financials (COGs, basic P&L knowledge).
• Ability to travel, approximately 15% throughout the year.

Minimum Pay (per hour): $55.00

Maximum Pay (per hour): $65.95

Target hiring compensation range: $55.00–$65.95 per hour.

Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications and location.

• Associate

• Temporary

• Product Management and Science

• Consumer Services

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)