Application Scientist, Bakery & Beverage Innovation

MGP Ingredients; Atchison (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

MGP Ingredients is seeking an Application Scientist to develop, optimize, and commercialize food and beverage applications using the company’s ingredient portfolio. You will support customer innovation, internal product development, and commercialization across cereals, snacks, coatings, bakery products, and beverages.

The role requires a Master’s degree in Food Science or related field and 3–8 years of experience in food applications.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related discipline.
• 3–8 years of experience in food applications, R&D, or product development.
• Experience in extrusion, bakery systems, coating technologies, or beverage formulation preferred.
• Experience supporting commercialization and plant-scale production strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of ingredient functionality (proteins, starches, fibers, hydrocolloids).
• Demonstrated formulation capability across snacks, bakery, coatings, and beverages.
• Knowledge of nutrition targets, labeling considerations, and regulatory fundamentals.
• Ability to manage multiple technical projects with strong problem-solving skills.
• Effective written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Proficiency with standard laboratory, pilot-plant, and documentation systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop prototype formulations and finished applications using plant proteins, starches, fibers, and specialty ingredients.
• Design and optimize nutritional base systems for bars, snacks, cereals, and functional foods.
• Develop and improve coating systems to enhance adhesion, texture, oil reduction, and sensory performance.
• Formulate bakery applications including breads, cookies, crackers, and sweet baked goods with improved nutrition and functionality.
• Create beverage applications such as protein beverages, powdered drink mixes, and functional drinks.
• Conduct bench-top, pilot-plant, and commercial-scale trials to ensure manufacturability and consistency.
• Perform sensory, stability, and shelf-life evaluations; document results in technical reports.
• Partner with Sales and Marketing to translate customer briefs into scalable product concepts.
• Provide technical support, troubleshooting, and formulation guidance to customers.
• Support plant trials, commercialization activities, and technical documentation.
• Participate in customer meetings, demonstrations, and innovation sessions.
• Collaborate with Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and Procurement to ensure compliance and successful scale-up.
• Maintain accurate documentation, formulations, and project records in accordance with company procedures.
• Support continuous improvement and innovation pipeline initiatives.
• Remain current on industry trends, including plant-based nutrition, high-protein, keto, and reduced-carbohydrate formulations.

Skills

Food R&D

Project management

Communication

Lab techniques

Education

Master's degree in Food Science/related

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/related

Tools

SAP

Job description

MGP Ingredients is seeking an Application Scientist to develop, optimize, and commercialize food and beverage applications using the company’s ingredient portfolio. You will support customer innovation, internal product development, and commercialization across cereals, snacks, coatings, bakery products, and beverages.

The role requires a Master’s degree in Food Science or related field and 3–8 years of experience in food applications.