Associate Scientist – R&D Product Development

Jobtailor; Glenview (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a Food Science professional in Illinois to lead product formulation, oversee processing procedures, and drive transition from development to production. You will collaborate with Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Marketing and more to ensure feasibility and high-quality finished products.

The role emphasizes analytical testing, shelf-life assessments, risk analysis, and cross-functional communication, with travel up to 30% to internal factories and suppliers as needed.

Qualifications

• BS/MS degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Life Sciences, or related field.
• Educational research & hands-on knowledge of consumer goods, food chemistry, analytical testing, formulations, and processing used in food manufacturing.
• Understanding of ingredient functionality and interrelationship of ingredients, process, and packaging.
• Good communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated and self-starter with attention to detail and a passion to learn.
• Willingness to travel 30% (internal factories, suppliers, conferences or other R&D sites) pending business needs.

Responsibilities

• Support and lead the commercialization of reformulated or new products and successful transition from development to production
• Interact with Operations, Business Units, Vendors, Quality, Regulatory, Finance and Marketing to drive for results
• Conduct risk and feasibility assessments on all projects
• Create and edit formulas, processing procedures and finished product specifications that deliver consistent, high-quality products
• Execute benchtop, pilot plant and plant trials to support project goals as well as shelf-life assessments
• Coordinate with cross-functional teammates to organize product tastings and sensory evaluations
• Manage multiple assignments/research projects concurrently with supervisor guidance and possess the ability to prioritize between a variety of business initiatives
• Adapt and apply scientific principles to new situations/products, exhibit critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Skills

Product Formulation

Analytical Testing

Project Management

Ingredient Functionality

Food Chemistry

Processing Procedures

Feasibility Assessments

Shelf-Life Assessments

Benchtop Trials

Pilot Plant Trials

Quality Assurance

Critical Thinking

Problem-Solving

Good Communication

Self-Motivated

Attention To Detail

Education

BS/MS degree in Food Science / Food Engineering / Chemical Engineering / Chemistry / Biochemistry / Life Sciences

Job description

• Support and lead the commercialization of reformulated or new products and successful transition from development to production


• Interact with Operations, Business Units, Vendors, Quality, Regulatory, Finance and Marketing to drive for results


• Conduct risk and feasibility assessments on all projects


• Create and edit formulas, processing procedures and finished product specifications that deliver consistent, high-quality products


• Execute benchtop, pilot plant and plant trials to support project goals as well as shelf-life assessments


• Coordinate with cross-functional teammates to organize product tastings and sensory evaluations


• Manage multiple assignments/research projects concurrently with supervisor guidance and possess the ability to prioritize between a variety of business initiatives


• Adapt and apply scientific principles to new situations/products, exhibit critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Requirements

• BS/MS degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Life Sciences, or related field


• Educational research & hands-on knowledge of consumer goods, food chemistry, analytical testing, formulations, and processing used in food manufacturing


• Understanding of ingredient functionality and interrelationship of ingredients, process, and packaging


• Good communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills


• Self-motivated and self-starter with attention to detail and a passion to learn


• Willingness to travel 30% (internal factories, suppliers, conferences or other R&D sites) pending business needs

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in Food Science and Engineering, with a strong focus on product formulation, processing procedures, and quality assurance. Capable of conducting risk assessments and managing cross-functional projects while applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• BS/MS Degree In Food Science


• Product Formulation


• Analytical Testing


• Project Management


• Ingredient Functionality

Hard Skills

• Food Chemistry


• Processing Procedures


• Feasibility Assessments


• Shelf-Life Assessments


• Benchtop Trials


• Pilot Plant Trials


• Product Specifications


• Quality Assurance

Soft Skills

• Critical Thinking


• Problem-Solving


• Good Communication


• Self-Motivated


• Attention To Detail

Industry Keywords

• Consumer Goods


• Food Manufacturing


• Cross-Functional Collaboration


• Regulatory Compliance


• R&D