Associate Scientist

Red Boot Beverage; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Simple IRA

Simple IRA matching

Dental insurance

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Job summary

Red Boot Beverage in Des Moines, Iowa, is seeking an Associate Scientist to perform lab work, formulation testing, and process optimization. You will assist in product development while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and performance.

This full-time role requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field and 1–3 years of laboratory experience. Benefits include health insurance, paid time off, and a Simple IRA.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of hands-on experience in an R&D or laboratory setting, preferably in food and beverage industry.
• Familiarity with lab techniques such as pH measurement or stability analysis.
• Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory experiments and pilot-scale trials following established protocols.
• Support the development, optimization, and validation of formulations.
• Maintain detailed documentation including lab notebooks and data sheets.

Skills

Experimental design

Data analysis

Documentation skills

Bilingual (Spanish preferred)

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Basic data analysis tools

Job description

On-site | Full-Time | U.S. Work Authorization Required

Position Summary

The Associate Scientist performs hands-on lab work, formulation testing, process optimization, and data analysis. The successful candidate will work cross-functionally to assist in the development, testing, and refinement of new products and processes, helping to drive innovation and ensure high standards of quality and performance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory experiments and pilot-scale trials following established protocols and safety procedures.
• Support the development, optimization, and validation of formulations and processes.
• Prepare and analyze prototypes using standard laboratory techniques and equipment.
• Collect, interpret, and present experimental data clearly and accurately.
• Maintain detailed documentation, including lab notebooks, data sheets, and reports.
• Assist in troubleshooting formulation or process challenges.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as Quality, Operations, and Regulatory Affairs.
• Maintain lab equipment and ensure a safe, clean, and organized working environment.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical documents, reports, and presentations.
• Keep current with relevant scientific literature, tools, and best practices.
• Promote a strong safety culture and follow all safety policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Identify and communicate workplace hazards and correct unsafe actions or conditions.
• Participate in safety meetings as required.
• Meet all GMP, SQF, and safety requirements; participate in food and safety meetings.

Note: This job description is not exhaustive and may evolve over time.

Travel

This position requires up to 5% of travel to customers or conferences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• 1–3 years of hands‑on experience in an R&D or laboratory setting, preferably within the food and beverage industry.
• Familiarity with experimental design, data analysis, and lab techniques such as pH measurement or stability analysis.
• Strong documentation skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team-oriented environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and basic data analysis tools.
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with production environments.
• Exposure to regulatory guidelines and product development processes.
• Knowledge of ingredient functionality or analytical instrumentation.
• Understanding of quality systems, GMP, or HACCP principles.
• Bilingual (Spanish preferred).

Work Expectations

• This is a regular, full‑time position with assigned office hours located onsite.
• The ability to be available for work daily and extended hours as necessary.
• Work is performed in a warehouse environment, manufacturing plant and occasionally outside in adverse weather conditions.
• The work environment may involve exposure to heat, cold, humidity, moving machinery, extreme noise, visual strain, confined spaces, fumes, odors, dust mists, and gases.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen.
• This position requires long periods of sitting, driving a forklift, standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing, as well as operating machinery.
• The employee should be able to lift and/or move items up to 50+ pounds several times per day.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Why Join Red Boot Beverage

As an Associate Scientist, you will gain hands‑on experience in beverage formulation, product development, process optimization, and pilot‑scale testing while working closely with cross‑functional teams. This role offers the opportunity to apply your scientific expertise, contribute to innovative products, and grow your career in a collaborative environment focused on quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Simple IRA
• Simple IRA matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Note: We are not accepting third‑party solicitations from recruiting firms.