Principal Scientist (Liquid Product Development)

CPS, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

CPS, Inc. seeks a senior technical expert to drive formulation and development of shelf-stable liquid products. The role includes leading projects from concept through commercialization, ensuring microbiological safety, stability, and cost targets.

You will collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and customers, overseeing plant trials and process validation while mentoring junior scientists. On-site with up to 30% travel locally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level or higher in a relevant science with hands-on R&D experience in shelf-stable liquids.
• Experience scaling products from bench to full manufacturing including plant trials.
• Proven ability interfacing with customers in a technical capacity.

Responsibilities

• Serve as subject matter expert in shelf-stable liquid systems and ensure shelf-life objectives are met.
• Lead formulation development from concept to commercialization.
• Partner with operations to scale formulations and establish plant specs.
• Lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects with tight timelines.
• Interface with customers to translate needs into actionable development strategies.

Skills

Formulation development

Project leadership

Customer engagement

Shelf-life stability

Microbiological stability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related scientific discipline

Advanced degree in Food Science or related field

Job description

Ready to shape the future of shelf-stable innovation? You will serve as a technical subject matter expert in the development and commercialization of shelf-stable liquid food products. This role requires deep expertise in formulation, processing (thermal / non-thermal), and shelf-life stability, combined with strong manufacturing integration, direct customer engagement, and project leadership capabilities.

This role is on-site; travel is required up to 30% with the majority being local.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership & Product Development

• Serve as a recognized subject matter expert in food science, chemistry, and product development with a focus on shelf-stable liquid systems (e.g., emulsions, sauces, dressings, beverages).
• Lead formulation development from concept through commercialization, ensuring products meet customer expectations, sensory, quality, cost, and shelf-life objectives.
• Apply advanced understanding of microbiological stability, water activity, pH control, thermal processing, and preservation systems to ensure product safety and compliance.
• Drive troubleshooting and optimization efforts for formulas, process, and ingredient functionality.

Manufacturing Integration

• Partner closely with operations to scale formulations from bench to plant, ensuring manufacturability and efficiency.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of processing technologies.
• Lead plant trials, establish product specifications, and process validation.

Project & Portfolio Leadership

• Take part in cross-functional teams across short- and long-term innovation and commercialization projects. Teams will consist of customer personnel, company personnel and in some cases, competitor personnel.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects with compressed timelines and delivery accountability.

Customer & Commercial Engagement

• Interface directly with customers to understand technical requirements, present solutions, and resolve product challenges.
• Translate customer needs into actionable development strategies and deliver commercially viable outcomes.
• Possess communication skills to support customer presentations with technical commentary and data-back decision making.

People Development & Knowledge Leadership

• Mentor and coach junior scientists to help contribute personnel development within the R&D organization.
• Promote best practices and continuous improvement within product development and commercialization processes.

Salary

$110,000 - $125,000 + Bonus

Benefits Available

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 10+ years of direct, hands-on R&D experience in shelf-stable liquid food or beverage development.
• Proven experience scaling products from bench to full manufacturing, including plant trial leadership.
• Direct experience interfacing with customers in a technical capacity (co-development, troubleshooting, presentations).

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in Food Science or related field.
• Experience in high-paced, customer-driven product development environments (e.g., B2B ingredient or food manufacturing companies).

JO: 65.26JF