Senior Product Development & Innovation Lead

Van-Drunen-Farms; Momence (IL); On-site; USD 98,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2026-benefits-summary.pdf

Job summary

Van Drunen Farms seeks a Food Scientist to lead development and commercialization of new products from concept through launch, including formulation, trials, and technology transfer.

You will be the technical expert in ingredient functionality, reformulation to optimize nutrition, sensory quality, cost and safety, and you will collaborate with Sales, Operations, Quality, Engineering and external partners to deliver customer-focused solutions.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of formulation, sensory science, food chemistry, and ingredient functionality.
• Experience designing and interpreting lab and plant trials with a data-driven approach.
• Working knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, labeling requirements, and food safety standards.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, solve complex problems, and communicate across technical and non-technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and commercialization of new products from conception through launch, including formulation, trials, and technology transfer.
• Serve as a technical expert in food science and ingredient functionality, providing guidance on formulation, processing, and performance.
• Reformulate products to optimize nutrition, sensory quality, cost, safety, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Manage multiple technical projects by defining scope, tracking milestones, and ensuring timelines and deliverables are met.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Operations, Quality, Engineering, and external partners to deliver customer-focused solutions.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and analyze results to improve product performance, flavor, and texture.
• Develop and maintain product specifications, documentation, and technical reports to support commercialization and compliance.

Skills

Formulation knowledge

Sensory science

Food chemistry

Ingredient functionality

Data-driven trials

GMPs/HACCP knowledge

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in food science, chemistry, biology, culinary science, or related

Job description

Van Drunen Farms seeks a Food Scientist to lead development and commercialization of new products from concept through launch, including formulation, trials, and technology transfer.

You will be the technical expert in ingredient functionality, reformulation to optimize nutrition, sensory quality, cost and safety, and you will collaborate with Sales, Operations, Quality, Engineering and external partners to deliver customer-focused solutions.