Innovation Scientist

SCN BestCo; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision plans

401(k) with employer matching

Life insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Paid sick leave

Job summary

SCN BestCo, based in California, seeks a seasoned Food Scientist to lead R&D for Vitamin, Mineral & Supplement products. You will drive development from ingredient research through scale-up, ensuring quality, regulatory compliance and timely delivery.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and ~6 years in food/dietary supplements (2+ in R&D). Strong problem-solving, communication and ERP experience are essential. Occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, technology, engineering, or related field is required.
• Minimum 6 years’ experience in food or dietary supplement industry with at least 2 years in R&D.
• Strong knowledge of ERP systems and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, SharePoint).
• Excellent problem solving, organization and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop new products from ingredient research and formulation to bench-top prototypes and scale-up to commercialization.
• Own R&D responsibilities in cross-functional innovation team and manage project scopes and timelines.
• Stay current on industry developments, collaborate with suppliers to bring new ingredients/technology to VMS formulation.
• Develop lab and commercial stability testing plans with Stability Program team.
• Support process development to optimize quality specifications during scale-up and transfer formulas to manufacturing sites.
• Provide technical support to Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering and Manufacturing.
• Share learnings with R&D teams and participate in offsite events as needed.

Skills

Food science knowledge

Problem solving

Communication skills

ERP proficiency

Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in food science, technology, engineering, or related field

6 years’ work experience in the food or dietary supplement industry, with at least 2 years in R&D

Job description

We believe being healthy should not require tradeoffs. SCN BestCo is a leading innovator, developer and manufacturer of Vitamin, Mineral & Supplement (VMS), Over-the-Counter (OTC) and prebiotics/probiotics in enjoyable forms such as gummies, lozenges and chews. With over 50 years of excellence, our team leads the way in changing how consumers make healthier choices. With unique food science expertise and proprietary processes, we’ve pioneered many firsts. The fire in our belly to create new to the world products has guided and continues to be core to our mission of making health and wellness more enjoyable. Come join us and become a part of our winning formula!

Estimated starting annual base salary is $103,196.11 - $154,794.17 per year less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. Please note that the actual compensation offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined by the Company, which may include, but is not limited to, location, experience, qualifications, education, skillset, and market conditions. The target base compensation for this role is in the low to middle of the range, with the top of the range reserved for only exceptional circumstances. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary, variable annual incentive, paid based on Company performance factors. SCN BestCo offers a competitive benefits package to eligible full‑time employees, which currently includes medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with employer matching contributions, life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more, as well as paid sick leave in accordance with applicable law. Each benefit is subject to eligibility requirements as specified in plan documents, and the Company reserves the right to modify the benefits it offers from time to time.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Work with internal teams and customers to develop new products from ingredient and technology research, product ideation, formulation, bench‑top prototypes, scale up to commercialization. Ensure new products are developed and launched within project timelines and financial targets, while meeting quality and regulatory requirements.
• Own R&D responsibilities on product development and project management in the internal cross functional innovation team. Maintain communication with internal and customers’ teams on changes in project scopes and timelines, risk assessment and mitigation plans.
• Remain abreast of industry‑relevant developments such as new ingredients/technologies, category trends, regulations, certifications. Collaborate with raw material, instrument, and equipment suppliers to bring new ingredient/technology/concept to VMS formulation and process.
• Partner with Stability Program team to develop lab and commercial stability testing plan, monitor organoleptic properties, and determine shelf life.
• Partner with Process Development and Upstream Innovation teams to optimize process and quality specifications during scale up, and transfer formula, product and technology to different manufacturing lines and sites.
• Provide technical support to Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to drive quality and value improvement on product and process. Assist out of spec (OOS), out of tolerance (OOT), customer complaint and other product quality related investigations.
• Collaborate with R&D teams within VMS network to share learnings and best practices and troubleshoot issues.
• Travel as needed to attend trade shows, conferences, training, product transfer, and other offsite meetings and events.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, technology, engineering, or related field.
• 6 years’ work experience in the food or dietary supplement industry, with at least 2 years in R&D.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs)

• Proven food science and related knowledge.
• Computer proficiency including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, SharePoint).
• Strong problem solving, innovation, organization, time management, customer service and verbal/written communication skills.
• Able to adjust work priorities quickly to meet changing demands.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with internal staff and management. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Must be able to demonstrate practical problem solving and trouble shooting skills. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Gummy manufacturing experience.