Principal Product Development Scientist

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.; Lakeville (MA, MN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Principal Product Development Scientist to lead innovative product development. This role involves designing experiments, collaborating with diverse teams, and ensuring product quality and compliance. With a focus on creativity and technical expertise, you'll have the opportunity to influence product formulations and bring new flavors to market. Join a dynamic team committed to sustainable practices and community values, where your contributions will directly impact the success of exciting new products that consumers love.

Benefits

Comprehensive Insurance

Retirement Plans with Company Match

Tuition Assistance

Flexible Scheduling

Paid Time Off

Employee Discounts

Qualifications

• Over 6 years of experience in CPG product development.
• Hands-on lab and manufacturing experience with food products.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and execution of experiments across various trials.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop innovative prototypes.

Skills

Food Science Fundamentals

Chemistry

Flavor Development

Quality Control

Technical Communication

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science

Master's in Food Science

Job description

Ocean Spray is hiring for a Principal Product Development Scientist! We are a team of farmers, thinkers, creators, and doers. As a farmer-owned co-op, everyone contributes to our success, founded by three maverick farmers who established our unique path.

Our Product Development and Culinary Innovation team (PDCI) aims to craft innovative products with industry-leading technical expertise, delivering products consumers crave and benefits they trust.

A Day in the Life...

1. Lead the design and execution of project experiments across bench-top, pilot, and production trials.
2. Develop product formulations based on understanding of ingredient functionality, food chemistry, flavor, stability, and process interactions.
3. Assess new products and ingredients with technical rigor and risk assessments, analyzing scale-up compatibility and contingency planning.
4. Collaborate with Marketing, Consumer Insights, Sensory Science, and cross-functional teams to develop learning plans and innovative prototypes.
5. Travel required for the role - 10-15%.

What We Are Looking For:

• BS in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, or similar with over six years of relevant experience, preferably in CPG product development.
• Strong knowledge of food science fundamentals, including chemistry, flavors, quality control, sensory, processing, and regulations.
• Hands-on experience working in labs, pilot plants, and manufacturing settings, with a willingness to conduct experiments and resolve challenges.
• Excellent interpersonal and technical communication skills for influencing stakeholders.
• Agile, adaptable, and capable of managing scope changes and ambiguity.
• Attention to detail with an understanding of broader project impacts.
• Willingness to evaluate various flavors regularly and no food allergies.

Principal Scientist Additional Requirements:

• At least 10 years of relevant experience; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in designing experiments, data analysis, and data-driven recommendations.
• Mentorship skills to coach junior scientists.
• Ability to identify, develop, and implement new technologies.
• Strong technical project management skills, leading cross-functional teams to deliver on time and budget.

Education: Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.

Work Experience: Minimum 7 years.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive insurance from Day 1, including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, accident insurance, and wellness programs.
• Retirement plans with company match, bonuses, flexible scheduling, paid time off, holidays, and career development opportunities.
• Additional benefits such as tuition assistance, LinkedIn Learning, scholarships, parental leave, back-up care, adoption assistance, and wellness reimbursements.
• Employee discounts, charitable giving, and appreciation events.

Who We Are:

We are committed to connecting our farms to families, living our values of Grower Mindset, Sustainable Results, Integrity, and Inclusive Teamwork. Our success is rooted in our community of farmers, team members, consumers, and communities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.