Product Development Scientist

Ocean Spray Cranberries; Lakeville (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Complete insurance package on Day-1

401(k) with company match

Short-Term Incentive/Performance bonus

Flexible scheduling options

Career development opportunities

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Ocean Spray Cranberries is seeking a Product Development Scientist to lead new product concepts from ideation through commercialization. You will work with cross‑functional teams to design, formulate and evaluate products for competitive advantage, scaling tests in pilot plants and validating manufacturing capabilities.

You will present findings to senior leadership, manage multiple projects with tight timelines, and travel to manufacturing sites about 15% of the time.

Qualifications

• BS in Food Science, Food Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry or similar science.
• Food Science Foundation/Strong Technical Acumen.
• 3+ years in product development.
• Ability to work in lab and plant environments.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, develop and commercialize new products and optimizations.
• Conduct bench development prototypes and pilot scale tests.
• Ensure products meet sensory and consumer criteria.
• Design robust formulas for reproducible manufacturing.
• Manage technical timelines and multiple projects.

Skills

Product development

Sensory skills

Project management

Technical timelines

Execution & delivery

Strategic thinking

Adaptability

Effective communication

Continuous improvement

Self accountability

Education

BS in Food Science/related

MS in Food Science (preferred)

Tools

PLM system

Microsoft Excel/PowerPoint

Job description

Ocean Spray is hiring for a(n) Product Development Scientist! We’re a team of farmers, thinkers, creators, and doers. Whatever your title, whatever your role — it always comes back to this: we’re a farmer-owned co-op where everyone rolls up their sleeves to get the job done. Three maverick farmers started it all — and we’ve been making our own way ever since.

The Product Development Scientist will develop new and innovative products to meet consumer demands and business objectives. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to conceptualize, formulate, and create new products. Your work will involve designing and commercializing products for distinct competitive advantages. You will also be responsible for leading scale tests with pilot plants and assessing manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, you will present products and provide expertise for senior leadership.

A Day in the Life…

• Plan, design/develop and commercialize new product and product optimizations.
• Conduct hands‑on bench development prototypes, pilot scale tests and design of experiments.
• Ensure products achieve desired sensory and other consumer success criteria parameters.
• Design formulas to ensure commercialized products are reproducible and robust enough to meet consumer expectations, quality and cost requirements, and supply of raw materials, with consideration to the impact on plant operations.
• Effectively manage technical timelines and multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Conduct competitive and feasibility assessments.
• Perform costing exercises at multiple stages throughout the product development cycle.
• Present ideas and recommendations to senior management in various departments.
• Identify and share portfolio-building ideas and contribute to ideation sessions.
• Initiate ingredient approval through PLM system and author material specifications.
• Travel as needed to commercialize new or revised formulas at the manufacturing plants (~15%).
• Spends majority of the time on the bench top in the lab ( ~70%)

What We Are Looking For:

Required

• BS in Food Science, Food Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistryor similar science with strong interest in product development.
• Food Science Foundation/Strong TechnicalAcumen.
• Ability to apply scientific principles to research and creative problem solving
• 3+ years in product development
• Ability to work in various environments (lab, plant, etc.)
• Acute discriminatory sensory skills
• Ability to formulate products that meet business and consumer needs.
• Project and Technical timeline management
• Drives Execution
• Links actions to strategy
• Cultivates Curiosity and applies to design of experiment and development principles.
• Has Situational adaptability
• Effective Communication
• Identifies and pursues continuous improvement opportunities
• Ability to hold self-accountable
• Experience with PLM system and Microsoft Excel/Power Point.

Preferred

• MS in Food Science
• Technical experience within a CPG organization.
• Additional experience preferred beyond minimum
• Beneficial certifications/application knowledge

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift low to medium weight (10-30lbs) materials on an occasional basis.
• Requires the ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Requires the ability to travel by plane on a frequent basis (approximately 15%)

Education:

Bachelor’s or University Degree (Required)Master’s Degree (Preferred)

Work Experience:

At least 3 Years of Experience

Annual Salary:

$59,700 - $74,600

The base salary range information above serves as a guideline of the position’s typical hiring range. We value and appreciate what makes you unique and will consider a variety of factors when determining an offer. These factors include, but are not limited to, your skills and experience, external and internal benchmarks, as well as overall company considerations. Certain positions may be eligible for short-term and long-term incentive rewards. We also offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports all aspects of your health and well-being.

Benefits:

• Complete insurance package on Day-1 that includes a plethora of health and wellness programs
  • Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Flexible spending account
  • Life and accident insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Telehealth services
  • 1:1 health coaching
  • Supportive benefits for all the stages of your life
• 401(k) with up to 6% Company matching; additional potential discretionary match at year-end
• Short-Term Incentive/Performance bonuses
• Flexible scheduling options
• Vacation pay, up to three weeks of time (pro-rated for your first year of employment)
• Holiday pay for 12 holidays
• Career development and growth opportunities
• Tuition/Education assistance programs
• Access to LinkedIn Learning
• Scholarship programs for children of employees
• Parental leave
• Bright Horizons Family Solutions – Back-up care, tutoring, etc.
• Adoption assistance
• Bereavement leave
• Up to $300 fitness reimbursement
• Up to $300 massage reimbursement
• Employee appreciation events
• Employee discounts
• Charitable giving

Who We Are:

You might have our iconic cranberry juice in your fridge or have gotten into heated holiday debate about what’s better - canned or fresh cranberry sauce. But did you know that the hardworking people growing the superfruit in our products are 700 family farmers that own our cooperative? They entrust us with what is most precious to them to create new and innovative products that will delight consumers and grow this beloved brand today and into the future.

Team members, farmers, consumers and communities alike–we value what makes us unique and strive to connect our farms to families for a better life by living our values:

• G Rower Mindset – We embrace our grower-owners innovative spirit and heritage through confidence, learning and focus on the future.
• Sustainable R esults – Guided by purpose, we are focused on delivering results for our grower-owners.
• I ntegrity Above All – We are ethical, doing the right thing for our grower-owners, customers, consumers and each other
• Inclusive T eamwork – We build diverse and inclusive teams that strengthen our cooperative.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

For MA Applicants – It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. Any employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.