Senior Meat Product Innovation Scientist

Branding Iron Holding, LLC; Sauget (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Full benefits package

Annual incentive program

Job summary

Branding Iron Holdings, based in Sauget, IL, seeks a Senior R&D Scientist to lead formula and process development from ideation to commercialization. You will drive product innovations, conduct ingredient research, and oversee scale-up while coordinating with cross-functional teams to meet strategic objectives.

The role requires a strong background in meat or food science, with 5–10 years in the industry (or 3–8 with a graduate degree).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field.
• Graduate degree (MS/PhD) preferred.
• 5–10 years of industry experience, or 3–8 years with a graduate degree.
• Leadership and ability to manage teams.
• Excellent communication and project management abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel).

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development of new products, from concept creation to full-scale manufacturing.
• Conduct ingredient research and source novel components for innovative formulations and cost reduction opportunities.
• Design and execute structured ideation processes aligned with company goals and consumer trends.
• Develop and optimize recipes for flavor, texture, nutrition, and shelf life, ensuring regulatory and quality standards.
• Plan and conduct plant trials, oversee scale-up, and troubleshoot technical challenges.
• Create and manage product specifications and bill of materials (BOM) reviews.
• Maintain accurate records and analyze reports.
• Ownership of formulas and production instructions until proven successful.
• Provide onsite monitoring and technical assistance during product testing and manufacturing.
• Lead commercialization of product changes and implementation of new items and processes.
• Document all R&D activities, formulations, and ingredient specifications with attention to detail.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement new formulations, processes, and equipment.
• Identify and lead projects to drive revenue and margin growth.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, new technologies, and market dynamics in meat science, food safety, and food processing.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Project management

Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field

Graduate degree (MS/PhD) preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite (Excel)

Job description

Branding Iron Holdings, based in Sauget, IL, seeks a Senior R&D Scientist to lead formula and process development from ideation to commercialization. You will drive product innovations, conduct ingredient research, and oversee scale-up while coordinating with cross-functional teams to meet strategic objectives.

The role requires a strong background in meat or food science, with 5–10 years in the industry (or 3–8 with a graduate degree).