Senior Scientist, R&D

Leprino; Colorado; On-site; USD 106,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Senior Scientist in R&D, where you'll drive groundbreaking innovations in dairy science. This role focuses on non-traditional cheese-making methods aimed at reducing costs and enhancing ingredient functionality. Collaborate with a talented team to translate scientific research into practical applications, ensuring that new technologies improve manufacturing processes. You'll have the opportunity to work on patents and proprietary processes, fundamentally changing how cheese is made. If you're passionate about dairy science and eager to make a significant impact, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Competitive Salaries

Annual Merit Increases

Life Insurance

Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage

Tuition Assistance

Paid Parental Leave

401(k) Plan

Profit-Sharing

Wellness Incentives

Paid Holidays

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in dairy product development and ingredient functionality.
• Strong knowledge of cheese-making technologies and dairy proteins.

Responsibilities

• Lead dairy science-driven research for innovative cheese manufacturing technologies.
• Oversee trials in research and manufacturing plants for technology transfer.

Skills

Dairy Science Knowledge

Dairy Chemistry Expertise

Ingredient Functionality

Manufacturing Optimization

Research Translation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Dairy Science

Master’s Degree in Dairy Science

Ph.D. in Dairy Science

Job description

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This range is provided by Leprino. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$108,000.00/yr - $128,000.00/yr

Direct message the job poster from Leprino

Within our Corporate Cheese Research and Innovation team located in Denver – Leprino is seeking a Senior Scientist, R&D on our cheese disruptive innovation team to drive the next generation of dairy science breakthroughs. This role focuses on non-traditional cheese-making innovations to reduce costs, optimize ingredient functionality, and improve manufacturing processes. You’ll work alongside a highly technical team, but instead of engineering expertise, we need deep dairy science knowledge, especially in dairy ingredient interactions.

At Leprino, starting compensation for this role typically ranges between $106,000 and $128,000. This position has an annual target bonus of 12%.

• Play a leading part in dairy science-driven research to develop new, cost-effective cheese manufacturing technologies beyond traditional make-methods.
• Apply advanced dairy chemistry expertise to ingredient functionality, optimizing protein, fat, and carbohydrate interactions for process efficiency.
• Collaborate with dairy research centers and leverage insights from academia, ensuring cutting-edge innovations translate into real-world production benefits.
• Oversee trials in research and manufacturing plants, ensuring smooth technology transfer while troubleshooting potential scalability challenges.
• Identify and evaluate novel ingredients, enzymes, or processing aids that could enhance cheese properties, improve yields, or lower costs.
• Drive intellectual property development, contributing to patents and proprietary processes that secure a competitive edge.
• Develop disruptive innovations in non-traditional cheese-making, creating groundbreaking processes that reduce manufacturing costs, improve ingredient functionality, and increase profitability. This role is not about product commercialization, it’s about fundamentally changing how cheese is made through scientific advancements.

You Have At Least (Required Qualifications):

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Dairy Science, or a Food Science or Chemistry degree only if you have significant, hands-on experience in the dairy industry, specifically in ingredient functionality, product formulation, or manufacturing processes beyond academic research.
• 4+ years (with Master’s) or 6+ years (with Bachelor’s) of industry experience focused on dairy product development, ingredient functionality, or manufacturing optimization.
• Extensive knowledge of dairy proteins, carbohydrates, and cheese-making technologies, especially in non-traditional processes.
• Strong ability to translate scientific research into commercially viable manufacturing applications.
• Experience in academia, specifically within a Dairy Research Center, is also valued, particularly if the research was conducted in direct collaboration with the dairy industry and focused on applied dairy science, ingredient functionality, or manufacturing processes.

We Hope You Also Have (Preferred Qualifications):

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Dairy Science with six years of applicable experience.
• Experience working in or with large, fully integrated dairy manufacturers, particularly in R&D, process optimization, or disruptive innovation.
• A track record of innovation and intellectual property contributions, such as patents, proprietary technologies, or published research with direct industry applications.
• Familiarity with non-traditional cheese-making processes, including novel fermentation techniques, alternative coagulants, or innovative processing methods.

At Leprino, we believe in equal employment opportunity and make employment decisions based on each individual’s unique talents, experience, skills, and knowledge; we do not discriminate on the basis of any personal characteristics. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture in which all employees can thrive.

A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino Foods could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit-Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.

Our Story:

Leprino’s history dates back to the 1950s, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We’ve grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino is the world’s largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by Jim and the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the “World’s Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company.” From a small corner grocery store we have grown to over 5,500 employees throughout the globe. Will you join us on our journey?

The Easy Apply option through LinkedIn is not considered an official application with Leprino. If you would like to formally apply for this open position, please visit careers.leprinofoods.com

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research, Science, and Manufacturing

• Industries

  Food and Beverage Manufacturing and Dairy Product Manufacturing

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