R&D Food Scientist

iRiS Recruiting Solutions; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

iRiS Recruiting Solutions is partnering with a growing F&B manufacturer to recruit an R&D Scientist for its expanding team in Wisconsin. The newly created role focuses on liquid beverage formulations, hands-on development from benchtop to full-scale production, and close collaboration with customers to optimize products.

You will join an established R&D group and work cross-functionally with Quality, Production, and Procurement to commercialize innovations while ensuring FDA/USDA compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Nutrition, or related field required; Master’s preferred.
• 1–5 years of food product development and commercialization experience preferred.
• Hands-on liquid formulation experience REQUIRED.
• Experience with beverages, shelf-stable products, or thermal processing highly desirable.
• Strong communication, project management, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop new beverage formulations, optimize existing products, and adapt customer formulas.
• Create benchtop samples and coordinate pilot plant and full-scale production trials.
• Partner with Quality, Production, and Procurement teams to successfully commercialize new products.
• Develop product specifications, ingredient statements, and Nutrition Facts panels in accordance with FDA/USDA requirements.
• Support thermal processing studies, retort operations, and shelf-stable product development.
• Manage multiple customer-driven R&D projects while providing technical support to Operations.

Skills

Liquid formulation

Food product development

Project management

Customer interaction

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/Nutrition or related field

Job description

We're partnering with a growing F&B manufacturer seeking an R&D Scientist to join its expanding Research & Development team!

This is a newly created position driven by increased customer demand and a growing portfolio of product development projects. You'll have the opportunity to work directly with customers, collaborate across departments, and play a key role in developing innovative F&B products.

About the Opportunity:

Focus: Liquid formulations, beverages

Product Development: Hands-on involvement from benchtop formulation through full-scale commercialization

Customer Interaction: Work directly with customers to develop and optimize products

Team: Join an established R&D group of Scientists and Technologists

What You'll Be Doing:

• Develop new beverage formulations, optimize existing products, and adapt customer formulas.
• Create benchtop samples and coordinate pilot plant and full-scale production trials.
• Partner with Quality, Production, and Procurement teams to successfully commercialize new products.
• Develop product specifications, ingredient statements, and Nutrition Facts panels in accordance with FDA/USDA requirements.
• Support thermal processing studies, retort operations, and shelf-stable product development.
• Manage multiple customer-driven R&D projects while providing technical support to Operations.

What We're Looking For:

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Nutrition, or related field required — Master's preferred.

1–5 years of food product development and commercialization experience preferred.

Hands-on liquid formulation experience REQUIRED.

Experience with beverages, shelf-stable products, or thermal processing highly desirable.

Strong communication, project management, and problem-solving skills.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing R&D team where you'll have significant hands-on involvement, direct customer exposure, and the ability to influence products from initial formulation through commercial production.