Food Scientist - Poultry

Tyson Foods; Springdale (AR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Tyson Foods in the United States is seeking science-driven professionals for roles spanning Food Scientist I–II and Senior levels. The position focuses on developing and commercializing new products and processes, writing specifications, and ensuring labeling and food safety.

You will lead cook validations across lines and collaborate with marketing, FSQA, and operations to drive innovation. Ideal candidates have strong data analysis skills, cross-functional teamwork, and the ability to move

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Food Science, Meat Science, Food Engineering or related field.
• Experience relevant to senior levels (2+ years with MS/PhD; 8+ years with BS).
• Strong analytical, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and commercialize new or improved products and processes.
• Lead cook validations and coordinate with marketing, FSQA, and operations.
• Prepare cost analyses and develop product labeling specifications.
• Work on multiple projects from concept to commercialization with guidance.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Strong communication

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science

Master's degree in Food Science

PhD in related field

Tools

Statistical software (JMP or Minitab)

MS Office

Job description

Job Details: Applying to this requisition will put you into considering for Food Scientist I, Food Scientist II, Senior Foods Scientist I, or Senior Food Scientist II – Level will be determined through the interview process.

SUMMARY: This position is responsible for developing and commercializing new and improved products and/or processes through guidance from their manager. This covers all stages of product development and process development including writing new product specifications, and ensuring regulatory labeling and food safety requirements are met. Additional responsibilities include developing samples/prototypes of new products, modifying existing products, optimizing existing products, developing specifications for product production labeling, and compiling cost analysis information. The person in this position will have a strong working knowledge of the scientific methods and is expected to leverage knowledge related to ingredients, product formulation and food processing to support best in class development of new, innovative food products. In addition, the person in this role will lead and execute cook validations for products in support of commercialization workstreams. This will include planning, conducting, documenting, and communicating cook validation studies across products, production lines, and fryer platforms to verify food safety, enable optimized cooking procedures, and support consistent restaurant quality.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Working with and strongly influencing marketing, insights, sales, culinary, FSQA, operations and purchasing departments, coordinating with suppliers of ingredients, ensuring smooth start‑up for new product production processes Modifying or optimizing existing products, developing specifications for product production labeling, and compiling cost analysis information. Work multiple development and optimization projects of moderate complexity, independently, from concept through commercialization with guidance from manager. This includes planning, executing experiments, analyzing data, reporting results. Execute the development process with activities that include bench top development, pilot plant testing, and scale‑up production at a federally inspected research facility and final commercialization at full scale production facility Strong working knowledge of the following is a plus: poultry new product development and optimization including battered and breaded products as well as water jet portioning technologies. Help team to identify innovation that is treated as IP that can give Tyson a competitive edge in the industry Analyze data to build product specifications that are process capable Present technical data or concepts to laypersons on their level of understanding Compile cost analysis information and provide to product management Ensure costing structure meets the financial expectations of projects Work on cross functional teams across the organization for project completion that will ultimately help achieve our growth and EBIT strategies Travel to plant production facilities Take on and complete special projects as needed. Develop culinary samples/prototypes of new products, modifying existing products, optimizing existing products, developing specifications Develop product production labels and compile cost analysis information Strong working knowledge of the scientific methods and is expected to leverage knowledge related to ingredients, product formulation and food processing to support best in class development of new, innovative food products Work with and influence cross functional team members (marketing, insights, sales, culinary, FSQA, operations and purchasing departments, coordinating with suppliers of ingredients) while ensuring smooth start‑up for new product production processes Work with process development to develop process flow charts for engineering Ability and Initiative to grow within the organization and develop a personal development plan with your manager.

Requirements for Senior Food Scientist II

• Education & Experience: BS MS or PhD in Food Science Meat Science Food Engineering or related field.
• Related degree with minimum of 8 years relevant Research and Development work experience.
• No degree with minimum of 15 years relevant experience.

Requirements for Senior Food Scientist I

• Education & Experience: BS MS or PhD in Food Science Meat Science Food Engineering or related field.
• PhD with minimum of 2 years of relevant experience
• M.S. with minimum of 3 years of relevant experience
• B.S. with minimum of 5 years of relevant experience
• No degree with minimum of 10 years relevant experience.

Requirements for Food Scientist II

• Education & Education: BS MS or PhD in Food Science Meat Science Food Engineering or related field.
• Alt. Protein science or equivalent Experience: PhD with no experience.
• M.S. with minimum of 2 years of relevant experience
• B.S. with minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.
• No degree with minimum of 8 years relevant experience.

Requirements for Food Scientist I

• Education & Experience: BS MS or PhD in Food Science Meat Science Food Engineering or related field.
• PhD or M.S with no experience.
• B.S. with minimum of 2 years of relevant experience.
• No degree with minimum of 8 years relevant experience.

Other

• Computer Skills: Requires good computer skills with ability to fully utilize MS Office products and Tyson systems (or like systems).
• Communication Skills: Good verbal and written communication skills required, presentation skills required, must have the ability to effectively communicate with cross functional business partners
• Special Skills: Strong critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills, strong project management skills.
• Strong numerical skills, understanding of product formulation, food processing and the Research and Development process, understanding of regulatory labeling and food safety requirements
• Supervisory: May supervise a team of hourly technicians that support a team of scientists.
• Travel: Minimum 25% (12+ trips a year) Travel will be required to accomplish our internal and external customer needs This includes customer meetings, visiting production facilities for testing and commercialization of new products, process trouble shooting and any other regular business needs.
• Relocation Assistance Eligible: Yes
• Work Shift: 1ST SHIFT (United States of America)
• Hourly Applicants ONLY -You must complete the task after submitting your application to provide additional information to be considered for employment.
• The successful candidate(s) must be willing and able to perform the physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Tyson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, national origin, color, religion, age, genetics, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status.
• We provide our team members and their families with paid time off; 401(k) plans; affordable health, life, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; and more.
• All background checks and verification will be verified according to company policy. Certain roles at Tyson require background checks. If you are offered a position that requires a background check you will be provided additional documentation to complete once an offer has been extended.
• If you are unable to apply for career opportunities through use of this site due to an impairment or disability, please contact [phone] for further assistance.

Our Talent Strategy is to Attract, Grow, Reward and Retain the best talent, and we believe that our Culture is the connecting thread that drives that strategy! We strive to be a talent magnet to establish a reputation for being a talent rich organization where team members can grow their career while growing the business. We are a high performing organization where team members are rewarded (Pay, Benefits and Recognition) for their contributions, and given the opportunity to support and/or volunteer with programs that help Tyson make a lasting social impact in the communities where we live and work. To learn more about our culture, please read Our Purpose.

If you are ready to grow your career with an industry leader and want to positively impact the team and community around you, then join us in helping us in raising expectations. Join us on the journey. At Tyson, we feed the world like family.