Food Scientist II, Plant Based Yogurt

enusapply-danone; Louisville (KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Flexible time off

Parental bonding leave

Job summary

Danone North America is seeking a Food Scientist II based in Louisville, KY with a hybrid work arrangement. You will support plant-based yogurt initiatives, translate R&I strategy into practical product designs, and drive productivity and innovation programs through bench, pilot, and plant trials.

You will develop formulas and specifications, collaborate with suppliers, and mentor junior team members while delivering high-quality products that align with business goals.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science or closely related field with 4+ years of product development experience.
• Strong knowledge of dairy and non-dairy protein and functional ingredient technologies.
• Ability to travel and work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute bench, pilot, and plant trials for new and improved products with analysis of results.
• Develop product formulas, processing procedures, and materials specifications to meet quality goals.
• Deliver productivity, renovation, and innovation programs including high-visibility projects.
• Collaborate with suppliers, co-mans, and vendors to guide external innovation and execution.
• Design consumer tests, prepare samples, and ensure product quality for testing.
• Provide training and share knowledge with cross-functional peers and junior staff.

Skills

Product formulation

Industrial processes

Ingredient functionality

Product-process interactions

Education

Masters preferred

Job description

Short Intro and About the Job

Everyone on our Research & Innovation team shares a passion for innovation, new process, new formulations, new packaging and new ways of thinking. By joining this team, you will use your scientific and technologic expertise to bring health through food, meet the needs of consumers and nurture growth in the business. We are currently looking to hire a Food Scientist II based in Louisville, CO.

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Supporting the plant-based yogurt businesses with understanding of R&I strategy, category/business strategy and the ability to leverage diverse methods for executing projects
• Demonstrate ability to translate new business dynamics to product design

• Deliver product productivity, renovation, and innovation programs, including complex programs (new platforms, high visibility programs) while anticipating challenges and building contingencies

• Independently plan and execute bench, pilot, and plant trials for new and improved products, analyze test results and effectively translate these into effective next steps that lead to project successes for medium to high complexity projects

• Develop product formulas, processing procedures, product, and raw material specifications to deliver consistent, high-quality products that support business objectives

• Contribute to scoping new ideas or technical solutions that contribute to R&I and product category strategy
• Influential in the delivery on top and bottom-line growth through, proactive identification pipeline innovation trends and opportunities, and productivity projects.
• Partner with various suppliers, co-mans, and vendors to provide technical guidance, project directive, and/or external innovation towards various product development programs
• Participate in the design of consumer tests, organize sample production, and ensure product quality for the consumer test.
• Deliver fundamental training and information sharing to cross functional partners or junior team members; Optimize and/or champion new ways of working

• Work closely with procurement, engineering, quality, and our supplier base to identify potential innovation, renovation, and productivity opportunities
• Manage heavy documentation work including technical ingredient documentation, manufacturing instructions writing and approvals flow through systems

The salary range for this position is $85,000-100,000 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate’s relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options. To give our employees flexibility, Danone is a hybrid work environment.This role is considered a “hybrid” position that allows for flexible work, meaning it is a role where collaboration with key stakeholders in Danone Hubs occurs. While you may have the option to work from home on a schedule as agreed to with your supervisor, you are also expected to regularly report to your assigned office location at least 3 days per week.

About You

• Degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or closely related field preferred (Masters preferred) with 4+ years of experience in product development in the food industry.

• Strong technical skills on product formulation, industrial processes, ingredient functionality, and product-process interactions; preferred in-depth knowledge on dairy and non-dairy protein and functional ingredient technologies and/or coffee processing.
• Knowledgeable in ingredient selection, formulation, processing equipment, and operating conditions for liquid-based oil-in-water emulsions.

• Flexibility to travel
• Strong project management/organization and the ability to influence key stakeholders on recommended courses of action.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral) and the ability to interact with all company functions including R&D, Quality, Marketing, Purchasing and Operation, as well as mentor junior staff
• Comfortable operating in the fuzzy front-end area of innovation and passionate about creating, rapid prototyping, development, and commercialization of ideas under tight timelines.

About Us, We offer and What's next

Life at DanoneWith approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., our vibrant culture and endless growth opportunities are just a couple of the reasons our employees call themselves “Proud Danoners.”Learn more about Life at DanoneOur BrandsWhen you join us, you’ll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world, including Activia®, DanActive®, Danimals®, Dannon®, evian®, Follow Your Heart®, Happy Family® Organics, International Delight®, Light + Fit®, Nutricia ®, Oikos®, Silk®, So Delicious® Dairy Free, STōK® Cold Brew Coffee ®, Too Good & Co™, and YoCrunch®.Our PurposeWe’re committed to making a positive impact on our world. Rooted in our mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible, we’re proud to be the world’s largest B Corp.Learn more about our mission.Our BenefitsOur commitment to making the world healthier starts with our employees.

• Physical Wellbeing: We pay for the majority of your medical benefits – which include medical, dental and vision – with our competitive 80%/20% cost-sharing model.
• Mental Wellbeing: Danoners receive fitness discounts, unlimited flexible time off and hybrid work schedules. We also have a range of programs that support mental health and substance abuse.
• Financial Support: We offer a performance-based bonus, a 401(k) plan, tuition reimbursement, employee discount programs and voluntary perks.
• Family Care: We offer caretaker benefits, 18 weeks of parental bonding, fertility, surrogacy, adoption benefits and pet insurance.

Learn more about our benefits.Equal Opportunity EmployerDanone North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. For our EEO policy statement and your EEO rights under law click here.#LI-NORAM #LI-HYBRID #LI-DM1California Data Privacy Law