Food Scientist

High Liner Foods; Portsmouth, Portsmouth (NH, VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pay for performance incentives

Wellness Programs

Retirement Planning

Disability Support

Family friendly Flex policies & Summer

Learning and mentorship opportunities

Safety focused work environment

Job summary

High Liner Foods is seeking a Food Scientist at our Portsmouth, NH headquarters to lead new product development and product optimization, collaborating with Sales, Marketing and customers throughout the stage-gate process. This role applies scientific, culinary and engineering principles in R&D, supports improvements for profitability, mentors the PD team, and drives quality and process enhancements.

5+ years in Food Science with a BS; seafood knowledge a plus; strong communication and MS Office

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in food science or related field.
• Experience in coaching and mentoring peers and teams.
• Knowledge of sensory testing and quality control is an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; able to work cross-functionally.

Responsibilities

• Lead new product development and optimization using the HLF project system; manage formulation, testing, sensory evaluation, specifications, cooking instructions and shelf-life studies.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing and customers to define project requirements and ensure alignment with cost targets and quality standards.
• Leverage vendor relationships and ingredient expertise to support development and ingredient opportunities.
• Coordinate, design and execute line tests, first production runs, and commercialization activities through the stage-gate process.
• Provide technical expertise on ingredients, food manufacturing processes and equipment to internal and external customers.
• Lead cross-functional problem solving and continuous improvement initiatives addressing quality, raw materials, productivity, and cost savings.

Skills

Food Science Experience

Project Management

Mentoring

Communication

Sensory Testing

Seafood Knowledge

Education

B.S. in Food Science or related degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Portsmouth USHQ
US Company Headquarters
183 International Drive, Suite 100
Portsmouth, NH 03801, USA

Portsmouth USHQ
US Company Headquarters
183 International Drive, Suite 100
Portsmouth, NH 03801, USA

Portsmouth
1 High Liner Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 038014146, USA

Portsmouth
1 High Liner Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 038014146, USA

The Food Scientist is a leading member of the Product Development and a cross- functional team responsible for delivering the initiatives, business plan, and objectives of High Liner Foods Inc. The Food Scientist applies scientific, culinary and engineering principles in research & development, production technology, quality control, processing and utilization of ingredients to design, develop and produce new and/or improved products. The Food Scientist is a Research & Development Subject Matter Expert for the organization and acts as a mentorship/coaching/training role within the PD Department.

This position plays a major role in leading the creation of new products and therefore plays an important part in supporting HLF’s overall strategic goals.

Essential Duties and responsibilities

• Lead new product development and product optimization through the HLF project management system, including formulation, testing, sensory evaluation, specifications, cooking instructions and shelf-life studies.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing and customers to define project requirements and deliver products aligned with customer expectations, cost targets and quality standards.
• Leverage vendor relationships and ingredient expertise to support product development, product optimization and new ingredient opportunities.
• Coordinate, design and execute line tests, first production runs and commercialization activities through the stage-gate process.
• Provide technical expertise to internal and external customers as a subject matter expert on ingredients, food manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Lead cross-functional problem solving and continuous improvement initiatives to address quality issues, raw material substitutions, productivity improvements and cost savings.
• Ensure accurate laboratory and project documentation, report project status and issues, and recommend R&D process improvements that improve efficiency and profitability.
• Develop and deliver SOP training, lead R&D meetings and training sessions, and mentor or coach R&D team members and cross-functional partners.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience and a B.S. in Food Science or related degree
  • Seafood and Value-Added Coating Knowledge is a plus.
  • Culinary training is a plus.
  • Knowledge of Sensory testing an asset.
• Experience in coaching and mentoring
• Able to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Self- Motivated; Able to work with little supervision, eagerness to learn and grow.
• Proficient in MS Office

Current employees please note: this position is referral bonus eligible! See our policy for more details.

What's in it for you?

Join High Liner Foods for a career where you shape your path, backed by great benefits, flexible work, and a culture of diversity, innovation, and sustainability. Immerse yourself in opportunities to make a real impact and grow with us in our mission to nourish lives. Start your adventure where endless possibilities to thrive together await.

• Pay for performance incentives
• Employee & Family assistance programs
• Wellness Programs
• Retirement Planning
• Disability Support
• Family friendly Flex policies & Summer hours
• Learning and mentorship opportunities
• Safety focused work environment

About High Liner Foods

Founded in 1899 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, High Liner Foods has grown from a small salt fish company into a leading North American processor and marketer of value-added frozen seafood. Our trusted brands — including High Liner, Fisher Boy, Mirabel, Sea Cuisine, C.Wirthy & Co, Mrs. Paul’s, Van de Kamp’s, and Icelandic Seafood — are enjoyed by families, restaurants, and institutions across Canada and the United States.

Guided by our purpose of Reimagining Seafood to Nourish Life, we combine over a century of expertise with innovation, consumer insight, and responsible practices to deliver high-quality seafood people can trust.

At High Liner Foods, we are a people-first organization. We invest in our employees through development opportunities, collaborative teamwork, and a culture where safety, well-being, and growth are priorities. Whether in our offices, plants, or distribution teams, our people work together to deliver excellence and drive the future of seafood.

Our Values

Serve with Purpose – We put our customers and consumers at the heart of everything we do, creating quality products that help to nourish lives and foster connections that go beyond the plate.

Do the Right Thing – We lead with integrity, act responsibly, and make choices that support our people, our partners, and our planet..

Innovate & Reimagine – We challenge the norm, embrace fresh ideas, and turn innovation into impact.

All Hands on Deck – Powered by people and driven by purpose, we lead with courage, hold one another accountable, and celebrate as a team

Ready to make waves with us? Join High Liner Foods and help shape the future of seafood.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.