Senior Product Development Scientist: Innovation Lead

CPS, Inc.; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 155,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

CPS, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Product Development Scientist in Indiana to lead innovation and renovation projects across beverages and related products.

The role focuses on formulating new products, optimizing nutritional content, and ensuring regulatory compliance from concept through commercialization. The ideal candidate has 7+ years in food product development, with dairy protein experience and strong leadership, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related disciplines required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of food industry product development experience; dairy proteins preferred.
• Experience leading product development projects from concept to commercialization.
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and drive to completion.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working cross functionally and leading project teams.
• Excellent organizational and communication (oral and written) skills; English proficiency required.
• Excellent mathematical skills and knowledge of statistical analysis.
• Computer literacy including Microsoft Office and ability to operate complex software.
• Working knowledge of government regulations and certification bodies (Kosher, Halal, Organic, etc.).
• Able to multitask, work independently and in a team environment.
• Enjoys working in laboratory and pilot plant.
• Fast learner, flexible and willing to help where needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development projects from concept to commercialization.
• Provide leadership to the organization in food science and R&D.
• Design new products based on flavor, texture, color, shelf life and nutrition while adhering to standards.
• Create nutrition labels and ingredient lists per regulations.
• Develop specifications for finished products with physical, chemical, and sensory properties.
• Develop batching instructions for pilot plant and operations.
• Collaborate with ingredient vendors to optimize costs and formulations.
• Lead pilot and scale-up trials and monitor initial productions.
• Collaborate with Operations to resolve production issues.
• Maintain formulation records (physical and electronic).
• Verify ingredients in inventory for maturity or stability and safety.

Skills

Problem solving

Cross-functional leadership

Statistical analysis

Project leadership

English communication

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

CPS, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Product Development Scientist in Indiana to lead innovation and renovation projects across beverages and related products.

The role focuses on formulating new products, optimizing nutritional content, and ensuring regulatory compliance from concept through commercialization. The ideal candidate has 7+ years in food product development, with dairy protein experience and strong leadership, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.