Principal Scientist

Schreiber Foods, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

401(k) company match + ESOP

Incentive pay twice a year

Relocation bonus

Relocation package

Childcare assistance

HSA allowance

Lifestyle spending account

Tuition reimbursement

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Job summary

Schreiber Foods, Inc. seeks a Principal Scientist to lead the development of dairy and plant-based ingredients, guiding lab and pilot plant work and translating research into profitable products.

You will drive breakthrough technologies, manage resources, and mentor teams, with travel up to 15%. An MBA or Master’s in Food/Dairy Science is required and a PhD is highly preferred, with 10+ years in industrial R&D in dairy.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in industrial R&D with dairy research and plant-based ingredients experience.
• Broad understanding of dairy production processes and dairy chemistry.
• Strong analytical background and expertise in dairy components and technology.
• Recognized SME in dairy chemistry and processing; mentoring and leadership.
• Demonstrates strong financial acumen and initiative to improve profitability.
• Expertise in leading formal/informal project teams and driving results.
• Knowledge of patent law and applying it to strategic initiatives.
• Willingness to travel up to 15%.

Responsibilities

• Lead exploration and development of innovative technologies, ingredients, and processes that align with strategic business goals.
• Identify and secure resources—equipment, systems, ingredients, and talent—needed to advance innovation.
• Develop patentable products and processes through exploratory research.
• Conduct primary research on dairy & non-dairy ingredients and core products (milk, natural cheese, process cheese, cream cheese, yogurt, and other products).
• Leverage strong financial acumen and expertise in dairy components and commodity markets to identify opportunities and profitability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to develop impactful new products and processes, while navigating stakeholder relationships.
• Communicate technical concepts clearly through reports and presentations to influence decision-making.
• Frequently brief senior leaders within and outside of department.
• Stay informed on industry trends, regulatory standards, and competitor activity; serve as a key scientific and regulatory resource.
• Build and maintain a network within academia, government, and industry to support innovation and compliance.
• Provide guidance, coaching and training to other employees across Schreiber within area of expertise.

Skills

Strong analytical

Regulatory knowledge

Effective communication

Education

MBA or Master’s in Food/Dairy Science

PhD preferred

Tools

Formulations management tools

Job description

Job Category: Research & Development

Job Family: Science

Job Description: We are seeking an innovative and strategic Principal Scientist to drive the development of new products, processes, and ingredient solutions in the dairy and plant-based sectors. This role involves identifying and executing breakthrough technologies, conducting primary research in lab and pilot plant settings, and applying scientific problem-solving to enhance product quality and profitability. The ideal candidate will possess in-depth expertise in dairy components, food processing, and regulatory compliance, and will serve as a key scientific advisor across the organization. Strong communication skills and the ability to translate research into actionable business initiatives are essential. This position may be a Research Fellow based on experience and qualifications. This position is located at our Corporate Office in Green Bay, WI.

About our Green Bay, WI Home Office: You’ll find lots to love in our beautiful home office in downtown Green Bay, Wisconsin. Our jeans-friendly environment has indoor and outdoor collaboration spaces, state-of-the-art R&D and sensory labs, culinary kitchens, a pilot plant, innovation center and more. Take advantage of outdoor workspaces. Sample and provide feedback on new products from our R&D team. Enjoy free coffee, soda and popcorn. Hit up a game of ping pong on your break. Or take a short walk to restaurants, breweries, the YMCA and a weekly farmer’s market on the scenic Fox River. You can even see Lambeau Field from our top floor.

What you’ll do:

• Lead the exploration and development of innovative technologies, ingredients, and processes that align with strategic business goals.
• Identify and secure resources—equipment, systems, ingredients, and talent—needed to advance innovation.
• Recognize and develop patentable products and processes through exploratory research.
• Initiate and conduct primary research on dairy & non-dairy ingredients and core products (milk, natural cheese, process cheese, cream cheese, yogurt, & other products).
• Leverages strong financial aptitude and expertise in dairy & non-dairy food components and commodity markets to identify product or process opportunities leading to optimizing component usage and profitability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to develop impactful new products and processes, while navigating complex internal and external stakeholder relationships.
• Communicate technical concepts clearly through reports and presentations to influence decision-making.
• Frequently conduct briefings to senior leaders both within and outside of department.
• Stay informed on industry trends, regulatory standards, and competitor activity; serve as a key scientific and regulatory resource for the company.
• Build and maintain a strong network within academia, government, and industry to support innovation and compliance.
• Successfully negotiate complex and/or difficult situations involving internal and external customers with potentially high business risk or reward.
• Provide guidance, coaching and training to other employees across Schreiber within area of expertise.

What you need to succeed:

• MBA or Master’s degree in Food or Dairy Science, PhD is highly preferred
• 10+ years experience in industrial R&D with proven track record of dairy research, with ingredients, cheese products, plant-based products, and cultured products experience.
• Has a broad understanding of dairy food production processes and applies food/dairy chemistry to solve problems.
• Must have a strong analytical background and expertise in dairy components and technology.
• Recognized as an industry subject matter expert in the areas of dairy chemistry and processing, and is sought out by others for mentoring, direction, and counsel.
• Demonstrates strong financial acumen and initiative in exploring, promoting, and implementing new initiatives to improve profitability.
• Must have expertise and demonstrated results in formal/informal project team leadership.
• Has a good understanding of patent law and how to apply it for strategic initiatives and recommendations.
• Enjoys taking on new challenges and opportunities.
• Highly self-directed person and possesses proper level of judgment to review ideas/plans with leadership.
• Works very well with others to achieve project goals and significantly higher company profitability.
• Strong knowledge of formulations management tools.
• Ability to travel up to 15%.

Eligible partners will receive:

• Get not one, but TWO retirement benefits. When you join our employee-owned company, you’ll be part of our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) from day one.
• In addition to an 8% 401(k) match into the ESOP, Schreiber will contribute an extra amount - about 8% of your earnings - toward your retirement every year. That’s a company contribution of around 16% in retirement savings annually.
• Earn bonus pay. You’ll have an opportunity to earn incentive pay twice a year when we meet our company goals.
• Receive a $10,000 relocation bonus PLUS a generous relocation package if relocating more than 50 miles for a U.S. Salaried position.
• Childcare costs. Get up to $5,000 annually to help you with the cost of childcare. Monthly contributions toward childcare expenses, including independent babysitters.
• Earn $1,200 in your HSA or as a cash payout for prevention activities. Plus, use your $600 lifestyle spending account for reimbursements related to health, fitness, weight management, mental health and social wellness.
• Pursue development that’s relevant to your role, career goals and the company. Plus, we offer tuition reimbursement if you want to further your education to grow in your role at Schreiber.
• Get access to medical, prescription drug, dental and vision benefits starting day one. This includes an onsite nurse and mental health counselor.

We have a program that’s completely organized by and for other partners who need extra help. It’s called Partners Helping Partners. We have hundreds of examples of partners organizing fundraisers to help out others going through a hard time.

Life & Culture

We call ourselves partners – not employees – and there’s a good reason behind that. Our work is more than just a job. Our common goals drive and energize us as we work together to be the best we can be. Caring is a huge part of who we are. We not only help each other grow; we take care of each other along the way. Whenever a partner is experiencing a hardship, it’s common for others to take the initiative to organize fundraisers to help support them through our Partners Helping Partners program. We also care about our communities and want to help make them better places to live every day.

Who are we looking for?

Our people are truly the heart of our company, and we’re on a journey together. It’s about more than a job. We work hard to find great people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and provide opportunities to help them grow. Like a family, we care deeply about each other.

An Equal Opportunity Employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Schreiber requires that an employee have authorization to work in the country in which the role is based. In the event, an applicant does not have current work authorization, Schreiber will determine, in its sole discretion, whether to sponsor an individual for work authorization. However, based on immigration requirements, not all roles are suitable for sponsorship.

For positions that require any amount of travel: Valid driver's license, auto insurance (at least state minimum- more might be required), acceptable driving record per Schreiber Foods discretion, and vehicle that will ensure applicant can meet the travel necessities of the position are required.