Research Scientist

New York Ag Connection; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education Reimbursement

Paid Time Off from Day One

Total Rewards Program

Job summary

Lactalis USA in Buffalo, NY is hiring a Research Scientist to lead the technical aspects of projects, improve existing products, and develop new products within specific product groups.

The role focuses on planning and executing trials, interpreting results, and delivering clear, data‑driven reports.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills to collaborate with multiple departments.
• Solid computer skills with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for reports.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical knowledge on projects to improve quality, yields, or processes.
• Propose ideas for new products and assist with pilot plant or plant trials.
• Write well-structured reports with conclusions and recommendations.
• Coordinate feasibility studies for new product development and improvements.
• Develop strong cross-department relationships (Marketing, QA, Purchasing, Manufacturing).
• Travel around 30% and occasional extended hours may be required.

Skills

Communication

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor's in Dairy or Food Science

Job description

Description

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.

At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani Italian cheeses and ricotta, Prsident specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond cheddar, and Parmalat milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s, Stonyfield Organic, Brown Cow , Oui, Yoplait, Go-Gurt, :ratio, Green Mountain Creamery, and Mountain High, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun, Gopi, and Arz.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis USA, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Research Scientist based in Buffalo, New York. With the help of Team Leader or Director of R&D, will be responsible for the technological part of projects, to improve existing products or creating new products, within specific product group or channel of business. This candidate will organize and implement trials, from conceptual stages through end of the projects, to reach the goals defined by the marketing teams, using the following duties:

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Provide technical knowledge on a variety of projects, which will improve quality, yields, or address any other areas identified by the company to enhance products or production processes.
• Propose Ideas for new product
• With the help of Scientist II or Director of R&D, will propose and organize pilot plant or plant trials, interpret the results and assist process development; will be responsible to write well-structured thorough reports, with proper conclusions and recommendations
• Work with plant and engineering in conducting feasibility studies pertaining to new product development and product improvement.
• Work closely and develop good relationship with other department (Marketing, Purchasing, Packaging, Manufacturing, QA, Legal)
• Continually explore and evaluate ways to improve all aspects of production, including raw materials, production techniques, specifications, packaging, shelf life, etc.
• Participate in Quality Assurance activities involving any number of issues or concerns. This may include activities such as HACCP analysis, good manufacturing practices, labeling, standards of identity etc
• Coordinate all support activities including maintaining complex technical notes and records of activity.
• Ensure the confidentiality of our process, information.
• Participate in patent search to protect company business and ensure that all findings are properly documented and recorded.
• Develop and maintain contact inside R&D company network, including developing product for other countries and subsidiaries or sharing data, information, knowledge with other teams
• Develop and maintain both industry and academic contacts to remain current in regard to technical developments.
• Be capable of acting as an Research & Development Technician for all routine pilot plant activities
• Demonstrate commitment to a safe working environment that promotes the health and wellbeing of all employees and that will further contribute to the Company’s overall performance and success.
• Around 30% travel and / or extended or off work hours may be required.
• This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
• To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone or, and / or allowance(s) may be provided.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these Essential Duties and responsibilities.

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Dairy or Food Science

Experience

• Three to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience

Specialized Knowledge

• Good Cheese process knowledge
• Strong Food Technology knowledge (Microbiology / Physics / Biochemistry / Process)
• Strong Mathematics knowledge including statistics.

Skills/Abilities

• Strong Communication skills to communicate with other department and technicians
• Strong Computer skills with a working knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for report writing and presentations.

Lactalis offers a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affiral Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.

Salary Description

$75,000-$89,000