R&D Scientist

Ornua; Hilbert (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Ornua, a leading dairy company, seeks an R&D Scientist in Hilbert, WI to drive product development and commercialization across cross-functional teams. The role emphasizes experimental design, material risk assessment, and mentoring Technologists and Technicians to deliver high-quality cheese solutions.

You will contribute to shelf-life studies, sensory analysis, and process optimization, coordinating from concept through production. Travel up to 25% to support sites and customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food, Dairy, or related scientific field with 5+ years' industrial experience or an MS/PhD with 3+ years in dairy ingredients/cheese context.
• Experience developing standardized and non-standardized processed cheese or imitation cheese.
• Experience with laboratory instrumentation and pilot plant systems; knowledge of FDA CFR cheese standards is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development and optimization projects in collaboration with R&D/Innovation, Sales, Procurement, Finance, and QA.
• Supervise Technologists and Technicians; mentor and upskill team members.
• Plan, execute, and evaluate experiments; manage projects with ROI and efficiency focus; drive commercialization.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Time management

Computer proficiency

Travel 25% availability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food/Dairy or related field

MS/PhD in related field

Tools

Laboratory instrumentation

Pilot plant systems

Sensory analysis equipment

Job description

Job Title: R&D Scientist

Department: R&D/Innovation

Job Classification: Staff

Reports to: R&D Director

Location(s): Hilbert, WI

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Ornua is a leading dairy company and the proud owner of premium dairy brands enjoyed by consumers around the world. With annual revenues exceeding $3.7 billion and a global workforce of approximately 2,800 employees, Ornua operates across 10 business units and 12 production facilities spanning Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Africa.

In North America, Ornua is focused on delivering high-quality dairy products and ingredients to retail, foodservice, and food manufacturing customers. The company supports the growth of globally recognized brands, including Kerrygold, while also providing innovative dairy ingredient solutions to meet evolving customer needs.

Backed by a strong global supply network and deep dairy expertise, Ornua combines the strength of an international organization with a commitment to local markets, customers, and communities. Through its manufacturing facilities, commercial teams, and customer partnerships across the United States and Canada, Ornua continues to drive growth, innovation, and excellence throughout the dairy industry.

At Ornua, our success is built on our people, our values, and our commitment to delivering quality products and exceptional service to customers every day.

WHY THIS ROLE IS VALUABLE

The R&D Scientist collaborates cross-functionally with R&D/Innovation, Sales, Procurement, Finance, and Quality Assurance to drive product development, functionality, and commercial readiness. Key responsibilities include leading product optimization initiatives, conducting material risk assessments, mentoring team members, and managing projects with a strong focus on ROI, operational efficiency, and successful commercialization. The Scientist designs and executes experiments, evaluates emerging technologies, and supports sensory analysis and shelf-life studies to ensure product quality and performance. Leveraging strong planning, technical, and project management skills, this role effectively coordinates activities from concept through production implementation. Additionally, the R&D Scientist may directly supervise Technologists and Technicians, providing leadership, coaching, performance management, and professional development support to foster a high-performing team.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Provides strong expertise and technical leadership on new product development, functionality in end products, and commercializing them in collaboration within R&D/Innovation, and cross-collaboration with commercial (sales), procurement, finance, and quality assurance departments.
• Supervises and coaches Technologists and Technicians
• Conducts optimization projects based on sound understanding and knowledge of OINA capabilities
• Mentors and upskill others on technical leadership, project management, material risk assessment
• Initiates and drives projects, focusing on ROI, efficiency to address short-term and long-term business needs & support other projects as needed
• Develops and commercializes high quality, innovative, efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable cheese solutions
• Contributes to determine new approaches within existing business and to identify new business opportunities
• Conducts pilot and production plant experiments to test and develop new products and processes.
• As necessary, conducts laboratory evaluations on composition and functionality of products and ingredients
• Investigates new technologies for producing safe, high quality food products
• Participates in on-going sensory/organoleptic analyses and shelf-life studies of Ornua products as required
• Uses planning and organization, time management, and project management skills to deliver results
• Establishes control limits for production items and manages process/formulation changes.
• All other responsibilities as assigned

Key Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Self-motivated aptitude with a progressive approach and a sense of urgency.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
• Adept to transfer scientific knowledge to operational and practical applications.
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills
• Excellent analytical, and organizational skills
• Write professional reports, prepare presentations and other business correspondence
• Work as a member of a team
• Excellent people skills with ability to work with individuals from different disciplines
• Proficient computer skills.
• Able to manage time effectively to meet deadlines and adjust appropriately to changes in priorities.
• Ability to travel 25% of their time to other OINA locations, customer sites and industry events
• Willing and able to taste and conduct sensory analysis on a variety of dairy and nondairy food products

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Food, Dairy, or related scientific field with at least 5 years of industrial experience or advanced degree (MS/PhD) in closely related scientific field with at least 3 years of experience and/or acquired knowledge and experience in the field of dairy ingredients and non-dairy ingredients and their quality, functionality and interactions within cheese matrix.
• Experienced in developing standardized/non-standardized processed cheese or imitation cheese
• Experience working in application lab, pilot plant systems and with laboratory instrumentation.
• Experience working in Food industry - B2B product development, formulation, and commercialization of cheese/dairy/food products
• Familiarity with FDA Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) cheese standards, and dairy products guidelines, definitions, nutritional and labeling claims.
• Experience or familiarity working with starch systems, protein matrices and/or plant-based cheese
• Lean Six Sigma experience/certification or likewise preferred
• Culinary experience designing custom applications with custom cheese ingredients will be a plus
• Working knowledge of sensory science and texture analysis techniques

Ornua is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be provided with equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or genetic information. Ornua is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact Ornua People Services at 833-450-2385 or [e-mail].

This employer participates in E-Verify, a federal program that verifies the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. As part of the hiring process, information provided on your Form I-9 will be submitted to the E-Verify system. E-Verify compares your information to records maintained by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. For more information about E-Verify, please visit www.e-verify.gov.