Principal Scientist

Alpha Executive Search; Greeley (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Unknown company seeks a Principal R&D Scientist with deep expertise in sausage formulation, processing, and commercialization to lead new product development for a SA sausage portfolio. The role targets driving innovation, scale-up, and eventual startup of a new facility in Iowa, with ~50% travel and relocation support.

Ideal candidate holds a B.S. in Meat Science or related field and 12+ years in sausage product development (8+ with a Master's).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 12+ years of sausage product development experience (8+ years with a Master's degree).
• Extensive knowledge of sausage formulation, meat systems, ingredient functionality, and processing technologies.
• Experience leading commercialization, plant trials, manufacturing scale-up, and process optimization.
• Strong collaboration and problem-solving skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from concept through commercialization.
• Support the startup of a brand-new manufacturing facility.
• Partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams.
• Influence product innovation and manufacturing strategy without direct people management.

Skills

Sausage formulation

Processing

Commercialization

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Job description

If you have deep expertise in sausage formulation, processing, and commercialization, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

I'm partnering with a leading food manufacturer to identify a Principal R&D Scientist to serve as the technical expert for sausage product development. This is a newly created role that will play a critical part in driving innovation, commercialization, and the startup of a new sausage manufacturing facility opening in Iowa in early 2027.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Newly created technical leadership role.
• Become the subject matter expert for sausage product development.
• Lead projects from concept through commercialization.
• Support the startup of a brand-new manufacturing facility.
• Partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams.
• Influence product innovation and manufacturing strategy without direct people management.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 12+ years of sausage product development experience (8+ years with a Master's degree).
• Extensive knowledge of sausage formulation, meat systems, ingredient functionality, and processing technologies.
• Experience leading commercialization, plant trials, manufacturing scale-up, and process optimization.
• Strong collaboration and problem-solving skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.

Location:

Relocation assistance is available.

Travel

Approximately 50% travel to support manufacturing facilities, including a new sausage facility in Iowa.

All inquiries and applications will be handled with the strictest confidence.