R&D Food Scientist: End-to-End Beverage Development

Indiana Ag Connection; Columbus (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

End-to-end product development

Technical ownership

Customer collaboration

Cross-functional impact

Innovation-driven work

Job summary

Indiana Ag Connection is seeking an R&D Food Scientist to lead product development from concept to commercialization, focusing on beverages. You will refine formulations, run trials, and coordinate with customers and cross-functional teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on formulation, project management, and practical knowledge of the food/beverage commercialization process, with on-site work in Columbus, Indiana.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Microbiology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience in research and development, product formulation, and beverage product development.
• Beverage industry experience strongly preferred; others considered with commercialization experience.
• Experience conducting benchmark sample testing and translating findings into formulation improvements.
• Hands-on experience with MicroThermics equipment or processes.
• Knowledge of emulsions, stabilizers, and formulation troubleshooting.
• Experience generating nutritional panels using nutritional analysis software.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple R&D projects and track progress.
• Strong customer-facing communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices, sensory evaluation, product specifications, and food safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D projects from concept development through formulation, testing, and commercialization.
• Develop and refine food and beverage formulations to meet specifications and customer requirements.
• Conduct benchmark sample testing and evaluate product performance for improvements.
• Apply emulsions and stabilizers to optimize formulation, consistency, and performance.
• Utilize MicroThermics equipment to support development and testing.
• Generate nutritional panels using appropriate software.
• Create and maintain product specifications, batch sheets, and technical docs.
• Coordinate product trials, sample prep, sensory evaluations, and shelf-life studies.
• Collaborate with customers and internal stakeholders to translate needs into practical solutions.
• Track milestones, timelines, and deliverables throughout development lifecycle.
• Support ingredient and packaging documentation, labeling, and food safety standards.
• Work with QA, Sales, and other teams to drive successful launches.

Skills

R&D project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

Documentation

Education

Bachelor-level degree in Food Science/Technology/C Chemistry/Microbiology

Tools

MicroThermics equipment

Nutritional analysis software

Job description

Indiana Ag Connection is seeking an R&D Food Scientist to lead product development from concept to commercialization, focusing on beverages. You will refine formulations, run trials, and coordinate with customers and cross-functional teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on formulation, project management, and practical knowledge of the food/beverage commercialization process, with on-site work in Columbus, Indiana.