Product Development Scientist

Ocean Spray; Lakeville (MN); On-site; USD 59,700 - 74,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits program

Incentive rewards

Job summary

Ocean Spray in Minnesota is seeking a Product Development Scientist to plan, design, and commercialize new products, coordinating with cross-functional teams from bench work to pilot plants.

The role emphasizes designing experiments, achieving sensory targets, and ensuring cost and supply viability, with travel ~15% to commercialize formulas. A BS in related science is required, MS preferred, with 3+ years in product development.

Qualifications

• BS in Food Science, Food Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry or similar science with strong interest in product development.
• Food Science Foundation/Strong Technical Acumen.
• 3+ years in product development.
• Ability to apply scientific principles to research and creative problem solving.
• Experience with PLM system and Microsoft Excel/Power Point.

Responsibilities

• 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 meet sensory and consumer success criteria and cost requirements.
• Lead scale tests with pilot plants and assess manufacturing capabilities.
• Present ideas and recommendations to senior management.

Skills

Product development

Project management

Sensory evaluation

Lab troubleshooting

Chemical/food science principles

Communication

Adaptability

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel/PowerPoint

Education

BS in Food Science/Engineering/Chemistry or similar

MS in Food Science (preferred)

Tools

PLM system

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft 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, Chemistry or similar science with strong interest in product development. Food Science Foundation/Strong Technical Acumen. 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

Benefits

• Beneficial certifications/application knowledge
• Physical Requirements Must be able to lift low to medium weight (10-30 lbs) 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.

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: Grower Mindset – We embrace our grower-owners innovative spirit and heritage through confidence, learning and focus on the future. Sustainable Results – Guided by purpose, we are focused on delivering results for our grower-owners. Integrity Above All – We are ethical, doing the right thing for our grower-owners, customers, consumers and each other Inclusive Teamwork – 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. 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, the cooperative's cranberries are currently featured in more than a thousand great-tasting, good-for-you products in over 100 countries worldwide. The innovative, entrepreneurial spirit of our founders remains rooted in our cooperative's culture, and most of all, our purpose of connecting our farms to families for a better life.