Applications Food Scientist

Job Title: Applications Food Scientist

Job Description

The Applications Food Scientist develops and applies technical expertise in food science to support internal teams and external customers by creating, testing, and documenting product applications and formulations. This role focuses on understanding product functionality, performing bench-top experiments, and generating accurate technical documentation that showcases ingredients and supports sales, brokers, and distributors. The position operates within established food safety and quality standards while contributing to a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop strong technical expertise in the company's products, standard demonstrations, and applications directory while adhering to all standard operating procedures (SOPs) and good manufacturing practices (GMPs).
• Complete assigned projects and tasks by established due dates, delivering clear, accurate, and correct results.
• Perform daily bench-top laboratory duties, including preparation, testing, and evaluation of food and beverage formulations.
• Document and record detailed project results, including products used, dates, number of trials, and outcomes, whether favorable or serving as learning opportunities.
• Prepare and provide a monthly synopsis of projects, summarizing key findings, trends, and next steps.
• Assist in and actively participate in weekly tastings, documenting all sensory findings and observations.
• Create accurate batch sheets for review, ensuring all formulations and procedures are clearly and correctly specified.
• Maintain a proactive, clean, organized, and safe working environment in accordance with food safety and quality standards.
• Assist in introductory presentations, open houses, and training seminars for customers, brokers, and distributors to demonstrate product applications and benefits.
• Accompany Applications team members on domestic travel as needed to support customer visits, demonstrations, and technical discussions.
• Work under the guidance of the Applications Manager to gain a deep understanding of products, usage, and application development.
• Develop new formulations and applications that effectively showcase ingredients in support of sales divisions, customers, brokers, and distributors.
• Operate within FDA, FSMA, and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) requirements to ensure food safety standards are consistently met in laboratory and office activities.

Essential Skills

• Degree in food science or a related field of study.
• Technical experience and a demonstrated track record of accomplishments in the applications or related food industry.
• Knowledge of biology and microbiology as applied to food science and product development.
• Proficiency in titration, pH testing, and other analytical techniques relevant to food applications.
• Experience with quality control and quality assurance practices in a food or laboratory environment.
• Ability to perform inspection and evaluation of products and formulations for quality and consistency.
• Strong oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing.
• Problem-solving ability, with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving work-related issues.
• High level of accountability, with the ability to accept responsibility and account for actions and results.
• Commitment to customer satisfaction and teamwork within a collaborative environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working within FDA, FSMA, and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) frameworks or similar food safety standards.
• Familiarity with good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in a food or laboratory setting.
• Experience participating in or leading product tastings and sensory evaluations.
• Comfort presenting technical information in introductory presentations, open houses, and training seminars.
• Ability to travel domestically with Applications team members to support customer-facing activities.
• Interest in growing with a company that promotes from within and is expanding its product lines and laboratory capabilities.

Work Environment

This is a first-shift position with standard hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Applications Food Scientist works primarily in a laboratory and office environment under the guidance of an Applications Manager, focusing on product understanding, usage, and application development. The role supports sales divisions, customers, brokers, and distributors by creating and showcasing new formulations. Work is conducted in compliance with FDA, FSMA, and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) requirements, as well as defined risk levels by area, to ensure safe production and handling of food in both plant and office settings. The environment emphasizes cleanliness, organization, and safety, with an expectation of maintaining a well-ordered lab space. The organization promotes internal growth, is expanding its product lines, and plans to build a new laboratory facility, offering opportunities to contribute to and benefit from a growing, forward-looking applications team.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Racine, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $33.65 - $48.08/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Racine,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 6, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.