R&D Scientist

Berner-Food-; Dakota (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) benefits

Job summary

Berner Food & Beverage is seeking an R&D Scientist to formulate milk/dairy-based beverages and cheese products, guiding development from prototype to commercialization. You will develop customer specs, nutrition panels, and ingredient statements while ensuring FDA identity and label compliance.

Collaborate across functions to execute production trials, provide tech support, and manage projects in a fast-paced environment. Onsite role with strong emphasis on dairy science and quality.

Qualifications

• Minimum B.S. in Food Science, Nutrition, or related field; Master’s preferred
• 1–5 years of food product development and commercialization experience
• Solid understanding of emulsions, milk and whey proteins, food safety and allergens
• Experience with FDA/USDA requirements for shelf-stable products
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Strong Excel skills and ability to navigate web-based systems

Responsibilities

• Develop new products and optimize existing ones; adapt customer formulas
• Produce benchtop samples and evaluate for shipment to customers
• Set up formulas and processes for plant trials and production
• Work cross-functionally with Operations, Procurement and Quality
• Create product specs, ingredient statements, and Nutrition Facts panels
• Provide technical support to Operations and customers

Skills

Flavor discrimination

Emulsions knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Problem solving

Microsoft Excel

Customer interaction

Adaptability

Education

B.S. in Food Science or Nutrition

M.S. in Dairy Science (preferred)

Tools

Retort knowledge

Job description

Description

Great Opportunity in Research and Development with a GREAT COMPANY! Be part of the employer of choice.

Berner Food & Beverage is committed to ensuring the highest standards of food safety and quality for our customers' brands. We foster a culture that promotes a safe, productive, inclusive, respectful, and meaningful work environment for our employees, instilling a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Berner Food & Beverage is currently seeking an R&D Scientist.

Summary

The R&D Scientist will formulate milk/dairy-based beverage products and/or cheese products and assist in the management of the development from prototype through commercialization. The R&D Scientist will assist in developing customer specifications, nutrition facts panels, and ingredient statements for products, and ensure compliance with all FDA standards of identity and label‑related claims. Builds relationships with customers and works across functions to execute production trials and testing. Provides technical support to Operations and customers, as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

include the following. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

• Develop new products, optimize existing products, and adapt customer formulas.
• Produce benchtop samples and evaluate for shipment to customers.
• Set up formulas and processes for plant trials and production.
• Work cross‑functionally with Operations, Procurement, and Quality to conduct pilot and production trials for customer and thermal process testing.
• Provide timely and appropriate product information to support customer requirements.
• Create product specifications, ingredient statements, and Nutrition Facts panels, assuring products meet appropriate FDA/USDA requirements for shelf‑stable products.
• Leverage outside resources to recommend new technology platforms to support new beverage product development.
• Maintain beverage lab and pilot plant, overseeing ingredient inventories, supplies, equipment cleaning & maintenance.
• Provide technical support and leadership to Operations.
• Learn and develop knowledge of Berner’s thermal processing procedures.
• Assist with thermal processing studies in production retorts, under the direction of management and Process Authority.
• Ensure documentation of formulas and product parameters to meet LACF requirements.

Education and Experience

• Minimum B.S. in Food Science, Nutrition, or a related field. Master's preferred in Dairy Science
• Preferred 1-5 years of food product development and commercialization experience
• Solid understanding of emulsions, milk & whey proteins, food safety, and allergens
• Retort knowledge/experience desired
• Ability to discriminate flavors
• Demonstrates initiative and ability to meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Excellent relationship skills and ability to work directly with customers and sales
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent project management and organizational skills
• Ability to maintain and operate laboratory and pilot equipment
• Ability to work in a production environment and support production trials in a 24/7 operation
• Good troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills
• Strong in Microsoft Excel and navigating web‑based systems

Pay Range: 65,000.00 to 85, 000.00 (based on experience). Full medical, dental, vision, 401k benefits offered.

Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, or working conditions associated with this job.

All job duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description must be performed onsite at our designated workplace location. This position does not offer remote, hybrid, or or telecommuting work options. Applicants must be able and willing to work in person as a condition of employment.