R&D Scientist

Ornua Co-operative Limited; Hilbert (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ornua Co-operative Limited in Wisconsin seeks an experienced R&D Scientist to drive product development from concept to commercialization. You will lead cross-functional projects with R&D/Innovation, Sales, Procurement, Finance, and QA to optimize functionality and ROI.

You will supervise Technologists and Technicians, mentor teammates, and coordinate pilot plant experiments, sensory analyses, and shelf-life studies to ensure quality and performance of dairy ingredients and cheese products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food, Dairy, or related field with 5+ years of industrial experience, or MS/PhD with 3+ years.
• Experience in developing standardized/non-standardized processed cheese or imitation cheese.
• Experience with lab, pilot plant systems and laboratory instrumentation.
• Experience in B2B food product development and commercialization of cheese/dairy products.
• Familiarity with CFR cheese standards and labeling claims.
• Experience with starch systems, protein matrices, and plant-based cheese.
• Lean Six Sigma experience/certification preferred.
• Knowledge of sensory science and texture analysis techniques.

Responsibilities

• Provides strong technical leadership on new product development and commercialization.
• Supervises and coaches Technologists and Technicians.
• Conducts optimization projects focusing on ROI and efficiency.
• Mentors and upskills others on technical leadership and project management.
• Conducts pilot and production plant experiments to test new products and processes.
• Participates in ongoing sensory analyses and shelf-life studies.
• Establishes control limits for production items and manages formulation changes.
• All other responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

Self-motivated

Interpersonal skills

Transfer knowledge to operations

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Reporting & presentations

Team player

Time management

Travel 25% willingness

Sensory analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food/Dairy

MS/PhD in related field

Job description

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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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• 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

Required Skills and Abilities:

• 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 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
• 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

Nearest Major Market: Appleton
Nearest Secondary Market: Oshkosh