Senior Food Scientist

Cindavi; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Collaborative culture

Professional development opportunities

State-of-the-art R&D facilities

Job summary

A leading food science company in the San Francisco Bay area seeks an experienced Senior Food Scientist to independently formulate new products and processes. This hands-on role involves leading product development initiatives and mentoring junior scientists while supporting scale-up activities. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in food product development and plant commercialization, with a degree in Food Science. Competitive salary and annual bonus offered.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience in R&D focusing on product development.
• Strong track record of successful commercialization.
• Culinary experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Independently formulate and execute new products.
• Source, evaluate, and qualify new ingredients.
• Lead plant trials and commercialization.
• Conduct shelf-life assessments and cost estimates.

Skills

Product development

Mentoring

Ingredient evaluation

Commercialization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science

Master's degree in Food Science

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Food Scientist to join our dynamic R&D team. In this role, you will independently formulate new products, packaging, and processes from benchtop through commercialization. You will lead product development initiatives, mentor junior scientists, and support scale-up activities across multiple facilities. This is a hands-on opportunity for a creative and strategic thinker with proven success in food product development and plant commercialization. Please note this position is located in the San Francisco Bay area.

Base pay range

$85,000.00/yr - $105,000.00/yr

Additional compensation types

Annual Bonus

Responsibilities

• Independently formulate and execute new products and product improvements from concept to scale-up.
• Source, evaluate, and qualify new ingredients; develop specifications.
• Prepare samples and specifications for customers.
• Lead continuous improvement and formulation updates.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior scientists.
• Lead plant trials and commercialization at in-house facilities and co-packers.
• Oversee scale-up of new and reformulated products.
• Conduct shelf-life assessments and cost estimates.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing standard procedures and documentation.
• Partner with internal QA, Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams.
• Maintain relationships with customer R&D and QA groups.
• Provide technical guidance to technologists, technicians, and interns.
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends and recommend new technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 2–5 years of experience in R&D with focus on product development.
• Strong track record of successful commercialization and plant scale-up.
• Culinary experience is a plus.

Why Join Our Team?

We offer a purpose-driven work environment that supports sustainability and health. As part of our team, you\'ll benefit from:

• A collaborative, innovative culture that values scientific expertise
• Professional development opportunities to grow your career
• State-of-the-art R&D facilities and resources
• Work that directly impacts consumer health and enjoyment
• A supportive environment where your ideas matter and innovation is rewarded