Master Data Scientist

CPS Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

CPS Inc. in Chicago, IL seeks a Master Data Scientist to bridge R&D and IT, building digital systems for ingredients, recipes, formulations, and development documentation to enable faster innovation and better traceability.

Onsite presence five days a week is required. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food science or culinary product development, plus experience with complex data systems and structured documentation across cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Food Science, Data Management, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in master data management, preferably in the food or CPG industry.
• Proficiency in data systems such as Specright, SAP, Plex, Genesis.

Responsibilities

• Build, maintain, and continuously improve a centralized digital repository for ingredients, recipes, formulations, and process documentation.
• Create standardized naming conventions, metadata structures, and version-control processes for all R&D documents.
• Ensure all ingredient specifications, COAs, nutritional data, allergen information, and regulatory documents are properly stored and linked.
• Maintain accurate version histories for formulas, prototypes, and scale-up iterations.
• Partner with IT to configure or optimize PLM, ERP, or R&D data systems.
• Collaborate with Food Scientists, Product Developers, and culinary teams to capture formulation changes, prototype notes, sensory results, and scale-up learnings.
• Assist in documenting new ingredients, technologies, and processes evaluated during product development.
• Ensure all product specifications and development records comply with food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Help translate R&D insights into structured data that can be used by Operations, QA, Regulatory, and Supply Chain.
• Systems & Technology Integration: Serve as the R&D team’s point of contact for IT regarding system improvements, data migration, and digital tool adoption.

Skills

Data management

Master data

Data systems

Collaboration

Education

BS degree in Food Science or Data Management

Tools

Specright

SAP

Plex

Genesis

Job description

Master Data Scientist

Reporting to the VP Innovation, Head of NA CSC, we are seeking a detail-oriented and systems-savvy Master Data Specialist to bridge between Research & Development (R&D) food product development and Information Technology, ensuring that all ingredient data, recipes, formulations, specifications, and development documentation are accurately captured, structured, and accessible. This role supports the New Product Development (NPD) team by building and maintaining digital systems that organize critical technical information, enabling faster innovation, improved traceability, and better decision-making across the organization. This role is critical to ensuring data integrity across systems and supporting cross-functional teams in R&D, Quality, Procurement, and Regulatory Affairs. *Onsite presence 5 days a week is required for this role The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of food science or culinary product development, combined with the ability to work with data systems, digital tools, and structured documentation. They will function as the “librarian” and process owner for all R&D knowledge assets. They will have a strong analytical mindset, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and experience working with complex data systems in a cross-functional environment.

Position Responsibilities

• Build, maintain, and continuously improve a centralized digital repository for ingredients, recipes, formulations, and process documentation.
• Create standardized naming conventions, metadata structures, and version-control processes for all R&D documents.
• Ensure all ingredient specifications, COAs, nutritional data, allergen information, and regulatory documents are properly stored and linked.
• Maintain accurate version histories for formulas, prototypes, and scale-up iterations.
• Partner with IT to configure or optimize PLM, ERP, or R&D data systems.
• Support for Food Innovation & New Product Development Work closely with Food Scientists, Product Developers, and culinary teams to capture formulation changes, prototype notes, sensory results, and scale-up learnings.
• Assist in documenting new ingredients, technologies, and processes evaluated during product development.
• Ensure all product specifications and development records comply with food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Help translate R&D insights into structured data that can be used by Operations, QA, Regulatory, and Supply Chain.
• Systems & Technology Integration Serve as the R&D team’s point of contact for IT regarding system improvements, data migration, and digital tool adoption.
• Evaluate and recommend digital tools for recipe management, ingredient tracking, and documentation workflows.
• Train R&D staff on proper use of data systems and documentation standards.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate with Marketing, Operations, QA, Regulatory, and Procurement to ensure data accuracy and alignment across departments.
• Support handoff of finalized formulas and specifications to manufacturing and commercialization teams.
• Work with suppliers to collect and maintain up-to-date ingredient documentation.
• Ingredient and Recipe Documentation Maintain and update ingredient and recipe records in systems such as Specright, SAP, Plex, and Genesis.
• Ensure completeness and accuracy of data including processing steps, part divisions, and scale-up readiness.
• Specifications and COAs: Create and manage product and ingredient specifications, including nutritional and allergen information.
• Coordinate and validate Certificates of Analysis (COAs) from suppliers and internal labs.
• Nutrition Calculation: Support nutrition labeling by calculating values based on ingredient data and recipe formulations.
• Ensure compliance with regional and global regulatory requirements.
• 3rd Party Ingredient Data Management: Collaborate with Supply Chain and external partners to gather and validate data for non-company ingredients.
• Ensure timely integration of third-party data into internal systems.
• System Support and Data Governance: Serve as a subject matter expert for master data systems, supporting users and troubleshooting issues.
• Participate in data governance initiatives, including defining “done” criteria for data readiness and managing data lifecycle.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with Innovation, Quality, Procurement, and IT teams to align data needs and ensure consistency.
• Support new product development (NPD) by enabling fast and accurate access to ingredient and recipe data.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Salary $80,000 - $105,000 + Bonus

Benefits Available

Position Requirements

• BS degree in Food Science, Data Management, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in master data management, preferably in the food or CPG industry.
• Proficiency in data systems such as Specright, SAP, Plex, Genesis.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex datasets and ensure data accuracy across multiple platforms.
• Experience supporting cross-functional teams including R&D, Quality, Procurement, and Regulatory Affairs.
• Familiarity with product lifecycle management (PLM) and specification systems.
• Ability to proactively identify data issues and implement corrective actions.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with shifting priorities.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

JO: 70.26KO #LI-KM2