Food Scientist

House--autry-Mills-Inc; Four Oaks (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

House-Autry Mills is seeking a Food Chemist/Food Scientist to lead the research, development, formulation, and improvement of food products while ensuring quality, safety, regulatory compliance, and scalability. This onsite role expects collaboration across production, QA, and sales to deliver innovative, high-quality offerings.

You will work with FDA guidelines, conduct analyses, and support new product introductions across retail and food service, with opportunities for growth within a legacy

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Food Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field.
• 2–5+ years of experience in food product development or food manufacturing (internships/co-ops count)
• Knowledge of FDA regulations, food labeling, and basic food safety principles
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with sensory evaluation and shelf-life testing could be a plus

Responsibilities

• Propose projects that meet Quality and Production policies.
• Ensure raw materials and finished goods meet established quality standards.
• Follow proper testing procedures and ensure their proper use.
• Develop new products for retail, food service, and industrial applications.
• Identify ingredients and formulations for new products based on ingredient properties and interactions.
• Develop formulas to match taste and performance while controlling costs.
• Provide product samples to sales and customers.
• Collaborate with customers to support new product development and preparation processes.
• Maintain and create product information data sheets.
• Ensure compliance with FDA and labeling guidelines.
• Manage formulas and access controls for updates.
• Share product information with production, QA and warehouse teams.
• Test competitor products and new ingredients.
• Perform physical and chemical analyses of ingredients and products.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in food science or related field

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Food Scientist

Full-time Regular Professional Four Oaks, NC, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1298

House-Autry is a dynamic and growing food company that has flourished for over 200 years. Our expansion into new markets and new product lines is providing exciting new employment opportunities that offer rewarding work and comprehensive training, along with competitive pay and benefits. Our growing business provides plenty of opportunities for growth and advancement, allowing you to create a fulfilling career as a part of our team. Join the House-Autry family and be part of our exciting future!

We are looking for a Food Chemist/Food Scientist who is responsible for the research, development, formulation, and improvement of food products while ensuring quality, safety, regulatory compliance, and scalability. This role applies principles of chemistry, biology, and food science to develop innovative, safe, and high-quality products that meet business goals, regulatory requirements, and consumer expectations.

This is an onsite position.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Project proposals meeting Quality and Production policies and programs
• Conformity of the raw materials and finished goods to established quality and specification standards.
• Ensure proper testing procedures are in place and are being properly utilized.
• Compliance with production specifications for all developed products.
• Develop new products for retail, food service, and industrial applications
• Identify the proper ingredients and proportion thereof for new formulas based on knowledge of the properties, interactions and reactions of various ingredients.
• Distinguish the processing procedures and times to result in proper texture and usage of new products.
• Develop new formulas to match taste and performance while minimizing cost
• Provide product samples to sales team and end customers.
• Manage feedback and process requested changes.
• Work with customers to identify procedures used for preparing food products during new product development and aid customer food preparation processes.
• Maintain current and create new product information data sheets
• Use FDA and other rules and regulations regarding food products to maintain compliance on product nutritional information and labeling guidelines
• Manage production formulas and control access to formulas for updates and adjustments.
• Provide product information to production, QA and warehouse to ensure products meet quality requirements.
• Test competitor finished products and new ingredients.
• Perform physical and chemical analyses of competitor products.
• Perform tolerance testing to determine weakness and strengths of HA products compared to competitors.
• Perform physical and chemical analyses on new ingredients for new supplier approval and cost management opportunities.
• Assist in resolution of internal non-conforming products and customer product complaints.
• Assist Sales Team with sample submissions for new customer accounts and grow existing accounts.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Food Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific field required.
• 2-5+ years of experience in food product development, food chemistry, or food manufacturing (entry-level candidates considered with strong internships or co-op experience)
• Working knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and food processing
• Familiarity with FDA regulations, food labeling, and basic food safety principles
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Education may be substituted by experience.
• Experience with sensory evaluation, shelf-life testing, and statistical analysis
• Hands‑on experience with specific product categories (e.g., beverages, baked goods, dairy, snacks, sauces) is a plus.
• Knowledge and understanding of quality standards and or culinary techniques and training.
• Assessment techniques of examining, questioning, evaluating and reporting food performance and flavor issues.
• Additional skills required for project management, such as planning, organizing, communicating, directing and problem solving
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends when, and if, workload dictates the need.
• Some travel may be required to assist with customer concerns, meet suppliers, participate in research studies (focus groups, sensory panels) or attend trade shows.

About Us:

Delivering Southern Crafted Goodness® Since 1812, House-Autry Mills has been a staple Southern food brand for over 200 years. We offer over two-dozen products for consumers to use at home and craft specialty blends for the Food Service industry. Our full product line‑up includes traditionally seasoned coatings, breading mixes, and sauces. We pride ourselves on opening our doors to a diverse team of different experiences and backgrounds and we are always looking for new talent to join our growing family. For more information about House-Autry Mills please visit House-Autry.com or follow us on Facebook Instagram Twitter or LinkedIn .

House-Autry Mills provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, sickle cell or hemoglobin C trait, genetic information, sexual orientation, or the presence of handicaps or disabilities or any other basis protected by state or federal law.