RD&A Associate Scientist / Dairy Applications

Kerry; Beloit (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Paid time off

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Kerry is seeking a Dairy Scientist in Beloit, Wisconsin to lead development and optimization of dairy and non-dairy beverage formulations. You will collaborate with RD&A Scientists, customers and cross-functional teams to deliver innovative beverage solutions that meet taste, nutrition and shelf-life targets.

The role focuses on stabilizers, hydrocolloids, buffers and emulsifiers to optimize texture, mouthfeel and product stability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in beverage product development, dairy science, or food formulation.
• Hands-on experience with stabilizer systems, hydrocolloids (gums), emulsifiers, and buffering systems.
• Experience developing dairy beverages, plant-based beverages, protein drinks, nutritional beverages, coffee beverages, or similar liquid applications.
• Knowledge of beverage processing technologies including HTST, UHT/aseptic, and retort systems.
• Experience supporting customer-driven innovation projects is preferred.
• Strong understanding of beverage formulation and ingredient functionality.Knowledge of emulsion stabilization, protein interactions, pH management, and shelf-life stability.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with RD&A Scientists to fully understand beverage formulations, processing requirements, batching procedures, packaging systems, and manufacturing considerations for dairy and non-dairy beverage applications.
• Support RD&A Scientists in responding to customer briefs and developing tailored beverage solutions.
• Develop, optimize, and evaluate formulations utilizing stabilizers, hydrocolloids (gums), buffers, emulsifiers, proteins, and other functional ingredients.
• Conduct laboratory and pilot plant trials to assess product performance, processing compatibility, shelf-life stability, and sensory attributes.
• Maintain an organized inventory of raw materials and ensure timely batching and fulfillment of customer sample requests, typically within 24 hours.
• Execute and support heat treatment processes including HTST, aseptic, and retort processing.
• Participate in customer-facing activities, providing technical expertise and supporting product presentations, demonstrations, and troubleshooting efforts.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams including Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, Regulatory, and Quality to deliver innovative solutions.
• Evaluate and improve food and beverage quality attributes including flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, convenience, and physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics.
• Document experimental results, prepare technical reports, and communicate findings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate scientific curiosity by proactively exploring new ingredients, technologies, and formulation approaches.
• Participate in sensory evaluations and contribute to sensory panel activities.

Skills

Beverage formulation

Stabilizer systems

HTST/UHT processing

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science or related

Tools

HTST equipment

Aseptic processing

Retort systems

Job description

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

The Dairy Scientist will play a key role in the development and optimization of dairy and non-dairy beverage formulations, supporting customer innovation projects from concept through commercialization. This position requires strong technical expertise in functional ingredient systems, including stabilizers (gums), buffers, and emulsifiers, to optimize product stability, texture, mouthfeel, shelf life, and overall performance.

The successful candidate will work closely with RD&A Scientists, customers, and cross-functional teams to deliver innovative beverage solutions that meet customer and consumer needs while supporting Kerry's commitment to Taste and Nutrition.

Key responsibilities

• Collaborate with RD&A Scientists to fully understand beverage formulations, processing requirements, batching procedures, packaging systems, and manufacturing considerations for dairy and non-dairy beverage applications.
• Support RD&A Scientists in responding to customer briefs and developing tailored beverage solutions.
• Develop, optimize, and evaluate formulations utilizing stabilizers, hydrocolloids (gums), buffers, emulsifiers, proteins, and other functional ingredients.
• Conduct laboratory and pilot plant trials to assess product performance, processing compatibility, shelf-life stability, and sensory attributes.
• Maintain an organized inventory of raw materials and ensure timely batching and fulfillment of customer sample requests, typically within 24 hours.
• Execute and support heat treatment processes including HTST, aseptic, and retort processing.
• Participate in customer-facing activities, providing technical expertise and supporting product presentations, demonstrations, and troubleshooting efforts.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams including Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, Regulatory, and Quality to deliver innovative solutions.
• Evaluate and improve food and beverage quality attributes including flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, convenience, and physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics.
• Document experimental results, prepare technical reports, and communicate findings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate scientific curiosity by proactively exploring new ingredients, technologies, and formulation approaches.
• Participate in sensory evaluations and contribute to sensory panel activities.

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in beverage product development, dairy science, or food formulation.
• Hands-on experience with stabilizer systems, hydrocolloids (gums), emulsifiers, and buffering systems.
• Experience developing dairy beverages, plant-based beverages, protein drinks, nutritional beverages, coffee beverages, or similar liquid applications.
• Knowledge of beverage processing technologies including HTST, UHT/aseptic, and retort systems.
• Experience supporting customer-driven innovation projects is preferred.
• Strong understanding of beverage formulation and ingredient functionality.Knowledge of emulsion stabilization, protein interactions, pH management, and shelf-life stability.

The pay range for this position is $70,100 - $109,050 in Annual Salary. Kerry typically does not hire an individual at the top or near the top of the range, as we are a pay-for-performance company, and this range is set to continue to reward performance annually while in role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The specific compensation offered to a candidate within the above range may be influenced by a variety of factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity. Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, Employee Share Plan, Life, disability, and accident insurance, and tuition reimbursement. This job posting is anticipated to expire on October 30th, 2026.

Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. Additional information can be found at: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).