Senior Scientist, Research & Development (Dairy)

Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces; Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Kinder’s Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces is seeking an experienced R&D Sr. Scientist (Dairy) to lead long‑term dairy innovations, guide research, and help deliver best‑in‑class products that delight consumers.

You’ll drive complex projects with external partners and internal teams to push boundaries in dairy science and safety. Based onsite in Walnut Creek, CA, you’ll collaborate with Marketing, Operations, and Quality to ensure fast, safe, scalable product launches while meeting shelf‑life

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of hands-on R&D and/or product development in CPG food/ingredients.
• Deep knowledge of food microbiology and processing.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, HACCP and food safety systems.
• Proven experience managing complex technical projects through a robust lifecycle.
• Experience across benchtop formulation to full commercialization.
• Ability to lead complex technical projects with cross-functional teams.
• Degree in Food Science (Bachelor’s or Master’s).

Responsibilities

• Lead evaluation/qualification of new ingredients and clean-label dairy solutions.
• Translate dairy science trends into long-term innovation platforms.
• Manage strategic dairy projects with suppliers, researchers, and academics.
• Serve as dairy science expert for formulation, processing, and ingredients.
• Advise on new products from concept to commercialization with quality and shelf-life in mind.
• Collaborate with Commercialization, Innovation, Operations, and Quality for launches.
• Lead optimization projects to improve quality, scalability, and flavor.
• Drive shelf-stability improvements and explore alternative ingredients with Sourcing.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to align projects and communicate risks/opportunities.
• Champion the R&D process and foster accountability and collaboration.

Skills

R&D experience

Food microbiology

Food safety systems

Project lifecycle

Product lifecycle

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Food Science

Job description

BUILT ON FLAVOR. FUELED BY PEOPLE.
What’s it like to work at Kinder’s? Well, there’s a lot of snacking and geeking out over what we all cooked over the weekend. Beyond that, there’s also plenty of hard work. Because we don’t just like flavor, we’re obsessed with it.
With over 100 products sold nationwide, we’re now a top-five brand in multiple flavor categories at Costco, Walmart, Whole Foods, and more. We’re not your typical CPG company. Privately held and founder-led, we like to think of ourselves as a pirate ship in a sea of cruise ships. Our crew is adventurous and fearless. We chart our own course and chase big ideas to make food unforgettable.
As we expand globally and approach $1 billion in revenue, we need more smart-and-scrappy, flavor-obsessed people to come aboard. If you’re looking for a place where you can see the real impact of your work... this is it! Every day, you’ll be part of a journey to add flavor to millions of meals and lives.

How You'll Have Impact At Kinder's

The R&D Sr. Scientist (Dairy) will report to the Director of R&D and will be a key technical leader within the organization. This individual will be instrumental in driving key long-term R&D projects while also supporting our mission to deliver best-in-class speed to market and quality of new innovations. In this role, you will work on complex technical challenges, collaborate with internal and external partners, and apply your deep knowledge of dairy products, processing, and safety to guide research & development and to create best-in-class products that delight our consumers and set new standards of what is possible in the categories that we choose to enter.

What You'll Be Doing

Technical Innovation & Research

• Lead the evaluation and qualification of new ingredients, including novel and functional ingredients, to focus on driving clean-label standards for dairy products without compromising performance.
• Identify and translate emerging dairy science and technology trends into actionable, long-term innovation platforms.
• Establish / manage strategic development dairy projects with third-party research partners, including ingredient suppliers, independent R&D organizations, and academic institutions, to accelerate innovation.
• Be a subject matter dairy science expert, providing insights / guidance to cross‑functional teams on formulation, processing, and ingredient functionality.
  

Product Development & Commercialization

• Advise on complex new product development projects from concept through commercialization, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of dairy science, formulation, and manufacturing processes and ensuring products meet quality, sensory, and shelf‐life standards.
• Collaborate closely with Commercialization, Innovation, Operations, and Quality teams to ensure the seamless launch of new products.
  

Product Optimization & Quality Enhancement

• Support long‑term product optimization projects focused on enhancing quality, scalability, clean‑label standards, and flavor.
• Lead technical initiatives to improve product performance, including shelf‑stability and freshness, across our diverse portfolio.
• Apply scientific principles to troubleshoot and resolve complex product, sourcing, or production challenges.
• Partner with the Sourcing and Operations teams to identify and approve alternative ingredients and process improvements that enhance efficiency without compromising quality.
  

Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Coordination

• Partner closely with cross‑functional leaders (e.g., Innovation, Commercialization, Operations, and Quality) to drive project alignment.
• Provide clear communication on risks / opportunities to senior leadership.
• Act as a champion for the R&D process, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  

Skills And Experience

What You Bring to the Table:

• 8-10 years of hands‑on R&D and / or product development experience in the CPG food and / or ingredients industry.
• Deep knowledge of food microbiology and processing.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, HACCP, and other food safety systems.
• Proven experience managing complex technical projects using a robust project / product lifecycle process.
• Demonstrated experience in working across the product development lifecycle from benchtop formulation to full‑scale commercialization.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical projects and work effectively with cross‑functional teams.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Food Science.
  

Personal Characteristics

• Growth mindset with an excitement to learn (and teach).
• Passionate people‑lover excited by the opportunity to build strong relationships with teammates and consumers.
• Low ego with a strong sense of humility.
• Thrive in a dynamic, lean, and agile environment.
• Collaborative mindset with an ability to find creative solutions.
• Self‑starter who takes initiative and is willing to speak their mind.
• Excited to be part of a fast‑moving team with the ability to be a leader and a follower where required.
• Enjoy making decisions and finding ways to say ‘yes’ as often as possible to impactful and important priorities.
  

Location & Pay Transparency

This position will be based onsite in Walnut Creek, CA. The expected starting salary range for this role is $115,000–$125,000 per year. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. The amount a particular employee will earn within the salary range will be based on factors such as relevant education, qualifications, performance, and business needs.

Seasoned For Success

• No two days here are the same.
• We try to be good team members and good communicators, but we don’t live by hierarchy and structure – everyone is a difference maker here.
• We make a lot of decisions in the face of incomplete information – our team embraces ambiguity and tries to make good decisions fast rather than great decisions slow.
• We believe our job is to take smart risk, not to eliminate risk.
• We believe in growing our skills and becoming a better company with more managerial expertise, but we are an entrepreneurial company at heart.
• We aren’t trying to be average – we want to do exceptional things, and we are willing to work hard to achieve them.
  

Benefits That Bring More To The Table

We offer a range of total rewards that may include paid time off, 401k, bonus / incentive eligibility, equity grants, competitive health benefits, and other family‑friendly benefits, including parental leave. Kinder’s benefits vary based on eligibility and can be reviewed in more detail during the interview process.

Our Recipe For Balance

We believe great culture starts with people. We’re a people‑first company built on connection, collaboration, and balance. Most of our work happens in the office to spark creativity and community, but we also offer flexibility so team members have the autonomy to work outside the office when needed to support their work‑life balance and personal commitments.

Where Every Ingredient Matters

Kinder's is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, citizenship, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, as well as any other legally‑protected characteristic. If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law, and you need any accommodation during the application process or to perform these job requirements, please reach out to us at [e-mail]