Product Development Scientist

Abacus Corporation; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Abacus Corporation is looking for a Product Development Application Scientist to support the development and commercialization of innovative products, including powdered beverages and nutritional bars. This role involves collaborating cross-functionally with R&D, Operations, Quality, and Packaging teams.

Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in a food-related field and over 5 years of relevant experience in product development. Strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of GMPs are essential. Experience in a contract manufacturing environment is preferred.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in product development within food, beverage, or dietary supplement manufacturing.
• Experience with powdered products and/or nutritional bars.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and food safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and formulate new products and line extensions across powders and bar applications.
• Support product scale-up activities, including bar trials and production runs.
• Collaborate with Operations to evaluate formulation performance on production equipment.

Skills

Understanding of nutritional macros and ingredient functionality

Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills

Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Chemistry, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft SharePoint

Genesis R&D

Job description

Product Development Application Scientist Job Summary

The Product Development Application Scientist supports the development, optimization, and commercialization of new and existing products across powdered beverages, powdered supplements, and bar formats. This role works cross-functionally with R&D, Operations, Quality, and Packaging to ensure formulations are scalable, compliant, and aligned with production capabilities.

This position is responsible for executing product development activities from benchtop through commercialization, supporting plant trials, and contributing to continuous product improvement through technical expertise and collaboration.

Responsibilities and Expectations

• Develop and formulate new products and line extensions across powders and bar applications
• Create benchtop and pilot-scale samples for internal evaluation, customer review, and lab testing
• Build bulk samples to support stability, sensory, and analytical testing
• Support product scale-up activities, including bar trials and production runs
• Assist in troubleshooting product and process issues during development and commercialization
• Collaborate with Operations to evaluate how formulations perform on production equipment; provide recommendations for improvements
• Assist in building and validating production targets to align R&D and manufacturing outputs
• Review batch sheets to confirm alignment with formulation, label claims, and quality standards
• Conduct and support shelf-life and stability testing programs
• Support label review activities for R&D, ensuring alignment between formulation, claims, and regulatory requirements
• Create and maintain Nutrition Facts Panels (NFPs) and Supplement Facts Panels (SFPs) for new and existing products
• Evaluate raw material documentation (COAs, specifications, allergen statements) to support compliance and formulation accuracy
• Apply knowledge of ingredient functionality, macro composition, potency, and overages in formulation development
• Collaborate with the Packaging Engineer on packaging validation and testing to support product integrity and shelf-life performance
• Maintain accurate documentation of formulations, trials, and results within internal systems

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Chemistry, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in product development within food, beverage, or dietary supplement manufacturing
• Experience with powdered products and/or nutritional bars
• Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety standards, and PPE requirements
• Experience supporting product scale-up from benchtop to production

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Strong understanding of:
• Nutritional macros and ingredient functionality
• Potency, overages, and formulation accuracy
• Food and dietary supplement labeling regulations (FDA compliant)
• Ability to review and interpret:
• Raw material specifications and technical documents
• Certificates of Analysis (COAs)
• Basic understanding of packaging fundamentals, including material compatibility and shelf-life impact
• Ability to identify and help resolve formulation and processing challenges in a production environment

Systems & Tools

• Proficiency in:
• Microsoft Outlook
• Smartsheet
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Genesis R&D (or similar formulation software)

Core Competencies

• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
• Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and compliance
• Ability to manage multiple projects and timelines in a fast‑paced environment
• Effective cross‑functional communication and collaboration
• Hands‑on, team‑oriented approach with a willingness to support plant activities

Preferred Experience

• Experience in a contract manufacturing (co‑man) environment
• Exposure to customer‑facing product development processes
• Experience with functional ingredients, sports nutrition, or specialty formulations

Scope of Products

• Powdered beverages
• Powdered dietary supplements
• Nutritional and functional bars

Work Environment:

This position is on the manufacturing floor almost constantly. Exposure to allergens such as milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame, and soybeans is likely.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position.