Senior R&D Scientist: Meat Product Innovation Leader

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Full benefits package (medical/vision,

Dental, life insurance

401(k) with company match

Annual incentive program

Job summary

Branding Iron Holdings is seeking a Senior R&D Scientist to lead formula and process development from ideation to commercialization. The role emphasizes innovation, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration to advance strategic objectives.

The successful candidate will drive product development, optimize recipes for flavor, texture, nutrition, and shelf life, and ensure regulatory and quality standards are met.

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.
• Processing and operations experience a plus.
• Proven leadership skills and ability to manage teams.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• 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.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Project management

Excel

Education

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

MS/PhD preferred

Job description

Branding Iron Holdings is seeking a Senior R&D Scientist to lead formula and process development from ideation to commercialization. The role emphasizes innovation, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration to advance strategic objectives.

The successful candidate will drive product development, optimize recipes for flavor, texture, nutrition, and shelf life, and ensure regulatory and quality standards are met.