Scientist

Tropicana Brands Group; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Tropicana Brands Group's R&D team in Chicago seeks a highly qualified Scientist to support productivity projects, quality improvements, and consumer-driven innovation. The role demands hands-on development, strong math skills, and rigorous documentation in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate has a degree in Food Science or related field, 2+ years in product development (beverage experience a plus), and advanced Excel/PowerPoint proficiency.

Qualifications

• S. in Food Science & Technology or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in product development; beverage experience a plus.
• Proficiency in Excel for data analysis, calculations, tracking, and documentation; PowerPoint for summarizing findings.
• Ability to manage multiple project tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working in laboratory, pilot plant and manufacturing scale environments.
• Able to operate lab equipment (pH meter, Brix meter, centrifuge, analytical balance).
• Strong math calculation skills including formulation math, solids %, dilution, yield, and cost.

Responsibilities

• Execute productivity initiatives, including formulation, process, ingredient, and cost optimization opportunities.
• Support quality improvement projects using scientific methods, data analysis, and problem-solving.
• Participate in End-to-End Quality Program activities with documentation and cross-functional follow-up.
• Develop and maintain standardized R&D processes, templates, and procedures for consistency.
• Plan and execute lab, pilot plant, and manufacturing-scale experiments to derive technical recommendations.
• Support consumer-driven innovation and renovation projects from formulation to scale-up.

Skills

Excel proficiency

PowerPoint proficiency

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science & Technology or related field

Tools

pH meter

Brix meter

centrifuge

analytical balance

lab data management software

Job description

Tropicana Headquarters
525 W Van Buren St
Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60607, USA

Tropicana Brands Group represents an exciting fusion of some of the world's most beloved and up-and-coming brands in the juice category, including Tropicana, Naked, KeVita, Izze, Dole, Copella and Punica. Tropicana Brands Group was established in 2022 as a joint venture between PAI Partners and PepsiCo. Our new company blends the best of two worlds: one steeped in industry‑leading expertise and the heritage of prestige juice brands, and another rooted in a true entrepreneurial, agile mindset.

With a global footprint of more than 2,000 associates that spans North America and Europe, we are proud of our industry‑leading capabilities in areas that include innovation, R&D, manufacturing, distribution, sales, marketing and nutrition expertise.

The company is focused on the vision to quench the world's thirst for more delight and nourishment, while continuing to build upon the many important diversity, sustainability, local community and philanthropic activities that our people and brands have historically supported.

Job Description:

Tropicana Brands Group R&D is looking for a highly qualified Scientist to support productivity projects, quality improvement initiatives, systems and process development, and select consumer-driven innovation. The ideal candidate will be a curious, hands‑on, detail‑oriented product developer with strong math and technical calculation skills, strong Excel and PowerPoint capability, and effective communication and collaboration skills in a fast‑paced environment.

As part of an entrepreneurial culture, the ideal candidate will bring an ownership mindset, a consumer‑first approach, a process‑minded way of working, and a willingness to learn and grow within a nimble R&D organization. Comfort working through ambiguity, adapting quickly, managing details accurately, and applying sound technical judgment is important. Successful candidates enjoy hands‑on beverage product development, structured documentation, and cross‑functional collaboration while contributing to well‑established and loved brands within a growing beverage company.

The position is based in Chicago, IL.

Responsibilities include:

• Execute productivity initiatives, including formulation, process, ingredient, and cost optimization opportunities
• Support execution of assigned quality improvement projects by applying scientific methods, data analysis, and technical problem‑solving to product and process challenges
• Support End-to-End Quality Program activities, including documentation, cross‑functional follow‑up, and execution of assigned R&D actions
• Support the development, improvement, and maintenance of standardized R&D processes, procedures, templates, and ways of working to improve consistency, clarity, and execution across the organization.
• Plan, execute, document, and interpret laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing‑scale experiments to develop technical recommendations for product, process, quality, and productivity opportunities
• Support select consumer‑driven innovation and renovation projects, including beverage formulation, ingredient selection, sensory evaluation, shelf‑life support, and scale‑up from laboratory through commercial manufacturing
• Perform and verify R&D calculations, including formulation math, ingredient usage, percent solids, dilution, yield, cost, and related beverage development calculations
• Create clear, accurate technical documentation for assigned projects, including experiment summaries, formulation records, specifications, trial reports, technical recommendations, and project updates.
• Support plant trials and commercialization activities, including process validation, startup support, and troubleshooting during manufacturing implementation
• Leverage external and internal experts for key analytical, sensory and consumer research
• Perform economic evaluations on ingredients, ingredient suppliers, and product formulations to drive profitability
• Participate as an active member of cross‑functional project teams, partnering with Marketing, Purchasing, Engineering, Operations, Quality, and other groups
• Develop and maintain complete product attribute specifications for ingredients and finished products
• Use innovative and critical thinking skills to help solve technical and organizational challenges
• Work through ambiguous technical problems with guidance to identify options, next steps, and tradeoffs
• Use strong teamwork, collaboration, communication, and project coordination skills to support cross‑functional projects on time and on budget

QUALIFICATIONS:

• S. in Food Science & Technology or related scientific field; advanced degree preferred
• 2+ years of experience in product development, beverage experience a plus
• Proficiency in Excel for data analysis, calculations, tracking, and documentation; PowerPoint experience for summarizing technical findings, recommendations, and project updates. Ability to learn new software as needed
• Ability to manage multiple project tasks and priorities, with ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and unexpected requests
• Ability and interest to work in laboratory, pilot plant and manufacturing scale environments
• Ability to work with lab and analytical equipment (pH meter, Brix meter, centrifuge, analytical balance, etc.)
• Comfort developing, improving, and following standardized ways of working across R&D processes, documentation, systems, and data management
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and strong math calculation skills, including formulation calculations, percent solids, dilution, yield, cost, and ingredient usage calculations
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with cross‑functional business partners, including Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, Quality, and Sales
• Ability to work effectively, elevate risks appropriately, and adapt in a fast‑paced environment with ambiguity and change
• Project coordination skills, including timelines, milestones, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration
• Ability to translate business objectives into clear technical tasks and project deliverables
• Must be open to 15-25% domestic travel

Equal Opportunity Employer
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