R&D Scientist (Food)

Title: R&D Scientist (Food)
Location: Thornton, IL
Hire Type: Direct Hire
Compensation: $70-90k
Bonus/ Incentives/ Stock Options: Annual Bonus potential
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, phone reimbursement
Must have Skill Set: 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Materials Science, or related field
• 2+ years of food product development experience
• Hands-on experience scaling new products from laboratory development into manufacturing
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills

Overview:
We are seeking an R&D Scientist to support the development and commercialization of food products while improving existing formulations and processes. This role will manage laboratory experiments, analyze product data, support scale-up activities, and identify opportunities for product improvement and cost optimization. The position will work closely with Operations, Quality, and other cross-functional teams to troubleshoot challenges and bring new products from concept through commercialization. 

Job Duties: 

• Independently plan and execute laboratory experiments, including product formulation and sensory evaluations
• Support the development and commercialization of new food products from laboratory through manufacturing scale-up
• Prepare, organize, and maintain technical documentation, formulations, laboratory records, and project reports
• Collect and analyze experimental data to guide product development and project decisions
• Identify opportunities to improve existing products, processes, and product costs
• Partner with Operations and Quality teams to troubleshoot formulation, processing, and production challenges
• Support cross-functional projects involving product development, packaging, food safety, and process improvement
• Manage multiple R&D projects while maintaining timelines and project priorities

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in food product development or a closely related R&D environment
• Demonstrated experience taking products from laboratory development through manufacturing scale-up
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a high level of attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Experience with formulation, product development, or data analysis software is a plus

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.