Product Development Scientist

Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc.; Ayer (MA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

401(k) with company contributions

Medical, dental, and vision—day 1

PTO, holidays, and floating holidays

Parental leave

Wellness programs and wellness stipend

Work flexibility

Life and disability insurance

EAP

Tuition reimbursement

Career growth and development

Mental health and caregiving support

Job summary

Ajinomoto Cambrooke, Inc. is seeking a senior Product Developer to advance medical nutrition formulations.

You will work with cross-functional teams to translate nutrition science into consumable products, ensuring stability, palatability, and compliance across the product life cycle. The role sits in the Corporate Office in Ayer, MA, offering opportunities to drive translational science, manage shelf-life testing, and contribute to evidence-based product claims within a collaborative,

Qualifications

• Minimum bachelor’s in food science, nutrition, or related field; Master’s degree preferred. PhD, PharmD a plus.
• 5+ years of experience in product development from bench to commercialization for nutritional beverages and/or powder blends.
• 5+ years in basic and applied R&D in nutrition/food/biotech with expertise in formulation and manufacturing of nutritional products.
• Expert knowledge in food science focusing on ingredient interactions and process effects on micronutrients.
• Experience with regulatory environments (FDA preferred; EU a plus) and nutritional modeling.

Responsibilities

• Co-create and execute medical formula products per R&D roadmap.
• Collaborate with Medical Nutrition, Marketing and Sales to meet nutritional targets across shelf-life.
• Contribute to IP protection and clinical evidence for products and ingredients.
• Present at conferences and clinician meetings; support product manufacturing and innovations.

Skills

Product development

R&D

Food/beverage formulation

Aseptic processing

FDA regulations familiarity

Translational science

Ingredient interactions

Science communication

Education

Bachelor’s in food science or related

Master’s degree preferred

PhD/PharmD a plus

Tools

Nutritional modeling software

Shelf-life testing methods

Regulatory knowledge

Job description

Eat Well, Live Well. At Ajinomoto Cambrooke, we build careers grounded in helping improve people’s health through nutritional therapies.

Ajinomoto Cambrooke (ACI) was founded by parents looking to develop better solutions for their children with PKU. Over the subsequent 25 years, we have expanded into additional therapeutic areas with a focus on enjoyable nutrition as a core part of normalizing the life for people living with medical conditions.

Joining ACI means becoming part of a diverse team of talented people who want to build their careers while contributing back to society in a positive way. We seek individuals who bring an entrepreneurial mindset with a bias for action and finding solutions. We provide an environment based in mutual respect and collaboration to support you and give you opportunities to learn and develop.

Join us to find a rewarding work experience that lets you be at your best and have an impact on our patient communities.

We do not use AI to screen applications. Applications and resumes of qualified applicants are reviewed by a real person because we value your time and believe each qualified applicant deserves thoughtful, human consideration. It’s an old‑fashioned approach—done with purpose.

Our people are the key ingredient to our success. We offer a collaborative, innovative environment where you can grow your career and make an impact on global food and health solutions.

We provide a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package, including

• Competitive Pay and Annual Bonus Opportunity
• 401(k) with Company Contributions
• Medical, Dental, and Vision — Effective Day 1
• Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, and Floating Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Wellness Programs and Yearly Wellness Reimbursement
• Work Flexibility
• Company-Paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement Opportunities
• Career Growth and Development within a Global Organization
• Company-Provided Mental Health and Caregiving support

The Product Development Team supports the medical nutrition business by developing new and revising existing product formulations to meet target characteristics that will deliver positive patient outcomes through therapeutic nutrition. Strong collaboration with the Directors of Medical Nutrition, Marketing, and Sales will be required to ensure desired nutritional levels are achieved throughout the product shelf-life, patient insights on flavor, texture, and palatability are incorporated. In this role, you will contribute to the ideation and exploration for uses of new to ACI ingredients and new to ACI business ventures in additional disease‑states reliant on specialized medical nutrition. This position sits in our Corporate Office located in Ayer, MA.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum bachelor’s in food science, nutrition, or related field; Master’s degree preferred. PhD, PharmD a plus.
• 5+ years of experience in product development, with ability to take concepts from bench top to commercialization for nutritional beverages and / or nutritional powder blends from concept to commercialization.
• 5+ years in basic and applied research and development preferably in small/mid-sized nutrition, food and/or biotech company. Experience with food/beverage formulation and manufacture of nutritional products that meet stability, sensory and nutritional requirements. Direct experience with aseptic processing / Tetra Pak® a plus.
• Expert scientific knowledge in food science with emphasis on product development involving interaction amongst ingredients and impact of process techniques on use of micro-nutrients.
• Experience with nutritional modeling software and familiarity with FDA regulations preferred, exposure to EU regulations a plus.
• Able to design and monitor product shelf-life procedures both regular and accelerated for nutritional products.
• Strong translational science background with experience in converting basic nutrition-science insights into consumable products.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Build relationships with vendors to source ingredients to meet product specifications.
• Overall understanding of how business units interact to facilitate successful product development and commercialization.
• Ability to define new product needs in terms of process needs and product characteristics including organoleptic needs / claims
• Demonstrated Leadership capability with a focus on innovation to drive product development proactively and passionately.
• Exhibit the understanding of use of standard operation procedures related to product development, process development and product shelf-life determination.
• Well versed with food safety requirements and regulations.
• An understanding of human nutrition and ability to review primary scientific literature.
• A strong ability to communicate basic science and technical challenges to non-technical audiences.
• A strong understanding of ingredient interactions in a food/beverage matrix throughout processing and shelf life.
• Ability to design shelf-life evaluation matrices considering product composition, process impact and other critical factors when designing new products in medical nutrition arena.
• An understanding of macro and micro-nutrient analytical procedures and their principles.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, cross functional team environment.
• Excellent analytical skills, strong attention to details, good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, the ability to balance multiple projects, set priorities, and drive results.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position works in a food manufacturing environment and requires the ability to adhere to all GMP, Food Safety, workplace safety and security policies including wearing required personal protective equipment, as well hair net, beard net, etc. as required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Position requires the ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds, stand, walk, bend, reach, push, and pull.

Ability to use a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other office equipment.

Ability to wear all required PPE.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Utilize your exemplary food science and ingredient know-how to co-create and execute medical formula products against ACI’s strategic R&D roadmap to support the overall corporate strategy while meeting the internal quality expectations.
• Support the Leadership and Management teams with scientific support in the areas of product development, clinical development, product manufacturing and new ingredient compound / product initiatives.
• Research and help develop clinical evidence supporting existing and new products and ingredient compounds for use in commercial activities.
• Participate in conferences, clinician meetings and other forums to present ACI’s clinical evidence.
• Ensure existing and new products, processes or ingredient compounds have strong Intellectual Property protection thus providing ACI a sustained competitive advantage.
• Other duties as assigned.

$105,000 - $130,000 Annual with potential 12.5% Bonus

Ajinomoto Cambrooke, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis protected by state, federal, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.