Sr. Principal Scientist

Ardent Mills; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 145,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical, Dental and Vision

Retirement with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Ardent Mills in Denver, CO seeks a Sr. Principal Scientist to lead grain science and baking applications, driving breakthrough innovation for customers and markets.

You will design and execute experiments, mentor scientists, and collaborate across Procurement, Quality, Marketing, Manufacturing, and Regulatory teams to translate scientific insights into commercial value. Strong leadership and DOE/ Six Sigma background required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Food Science or related field; PhD preferred.
• 15+ years industry experience in grain science and baking applications.
• Deep expertise in grain chemistry, flour milling, and ingredient functionality.
• Experience with bakery product development across breads, buns, rolls, tortillas, pastries.
• Proven ability to connect scientific discovery to commercial outcomes.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.

Responsibilities

• Design and execution of experiments; develop SOPs and protocols.
• Lead collaborative projects with academic researchers and suppliers.
• Perform shelf-life studies and sensory evaluations.
• Develop and apply ingredient evaluation tools to advance R&D.
• Provide leadership in laboratory operations and safety.
• Influence across organization to align science with business needs.

Skills

Grain science

Flour functionality

Baking applications

DOE

Six Sigma

Statistical analysis

Leadership

Cross-functional

Mentoring

Strategic thinking

Education

MS in Food Science

PhD preferred

Tools

Mixograph

Farinograph

Extensograph

Alveograph

RVA

Texture Analyzer

Job description

The Sr. Principal Scientist serves as a scientific leader and recognized subject matter expert in grain science, flour functionality, baking applications, ingredient technology, and food innovation. This role leverages deep technical expertise in cereals, milling, ingredient functionality, dough systems, and finished product quality to drive breakthrough innovation, solve complex technical challenges, and advance Ardent Mills' product and technology pipeline. The Sr. Principal Scientist translates scientific insights into commercial value through strategic leadership, cross‑functional collaboration, and development of differentiated grain‑based solutions for customers and markets.

Responsibilities

Design and execute experiments, develop SOPs and protocols, synthesize data, and communicate findings clearly through reports and presentations

Lead collaborative projects with internal and external partners, including academic researchers, analytical service providers, consultants, ingredient suppliers, equipment manufacturers, IP counsel, and regulatory professionals

Perform ingredient screening, shelf‑life studies, and sensory evaluations to support product and process innovation

Develop and apply ingredient evaluation and characterization tools that effectively advance R&D initiatives and innovation projects

Build technical capabilities and subject matter expertise within the team in areas such as ingredient functionality, nutrition science, and application design

Partner cross‑functionally with Procurement, Quality, Marketing, Manufacturing, and Regulatory teams to ensure ingredient and product specifications meet customer and business requirements

Support new product development from concept through commercialization by identifying and optimizing ingredients and process parameters

Apply statistical and scientific principles, including design of experiments (DOE), sensory analysis, and Six Sigma methods, to guide problem‑solving and data‑based decision‑making

Maintain accurate and compliant laboratory documentation, including data entry in the knowledge management system, and ensure adherence to all safety and quality standards

Provide leadership in laboratory operations, including equipment maintenance, procurement of supplies, and training of team members on methods, systems, and safety practices

Proven ability to influence at all levels of the organization and effectively lead through collaboration and expertise

Strategic thinker capable of connecting scientific discoveries to business opportunities and customer needs

Strong business acumen and understanding of product commercialization, manufacturing, and market dynamics

Demonstrated ability to be a self‑starter who independently identifies opportunities, anticipates business needs, and drives results with minimal direction

Proven ability to coach, mentor, and develop scientific talent while fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning

Stay current on emerging technologies, scientific advancements, and competitive trends to identify and recommend innovation opportunities

Contribute to a culture of collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous improvement within the R&D organization

Essential Skills And Experience

Master's degree in Food Science, Grain Science, Cereal Science, Food Chemistry, Food Engineering, or related field with 15+ years of industry experience; Ph.D. preferred

Deep expertise in grain science, cereal chemistry, flour milling, flour functionality, ingredient functionality, and baking applications

Extensive experience working with wheat flours, whole grains, specialty grains, grain‑based ingredients, dough systems, and baked products

Demonstrated understanding of flour quality attributes, protein functionality, starch chemistry, enzyme systems, hydrocolloids, and their impact on processing and finished product performance

Proven experience in bakery product development, including breads, buns, rolls, tortillas, pizza crusts, sweet goods, snacks, and other grain‑based applications

Advanced knowledge of baking processes, rheological testing, ingredient interactions, shelf‑life optimization, and product quality evaluation

Expertise in analytical, pilot plant, and commercial‑scale evaluation of grain‑based ingredients and finished products

Demonstrated ability to connect grain, ingredient, processing, and sensory characteristics to customer requirements and commercial outcomes

Experience applying statistical analysis, DOE, and predictive modeling to understand ingredient interactions and optimize product performance

Proven track record of developing and commercializing innovative grain‑based ingredients and applications

Ability to think strategically about technology and guide groups of scientists to solve technical challenges

Proven coaching and mentoring abilities that foster & promote a culture of technical learning

Good To Have

Sensory: analytical (R&D, Operations) and effective (consumer)

Expertise in wheat flour milling operations, flour specifications, grain quality evaluation, and cereal chemistry

Experience supporting commercial bakeries, foodservice customers, consumer packaged goods manufacturers, or ingredient suppliers

Strong understanding of grain processing technologies, functional ingredients, dough development, fermentation systems, and baking operations

Experience with analytical and rheological tools such as Mixograph, Farinograph, Extensograph, Alveograph, RVA, Texture Analyzer, and related bakery quality systems

Recognized industry leadership within grain science, baking science, cereal chemistry, or ingredient innovation organizations

Comfort stretching outside of current expertise with technical curiosity, strong critical thinking skills and a passion for food science and learning

Global Experience: consumer packaged goods companies, ingredient suppliers, flavor & fragrance suppliers

Physical requirements and working conditions (with or without reasonable accommodation) CONDITIONS (WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION):

Lifting/Carrying: Capable of carrying items up to 50 lbs.

Capable of conducting work at company facility, third party pilot plants, with potential visits to manufacturing facilities (company owned, third party)

Ability to stand for extended periods during testing and product evaluations

Ability to work with and consume wheat‑based products; no wheat/gluten sensitivity, intolerance, or allergy

Position requires regular work in laboratory and pilot plant environments where all major food allergens may be present, including but not limited to wheat, milk, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, and shellfish

Must be able to safely work in and around products and ingredients containing food allergens

This is a full‑time, in‑office position requiring on‑site attendance five days per week

Travel: 20-30%

Location:

Denver CO

Address

1875 Lawrence Street, Denver CO, 80202

Employment Type

Full time

Additional Information

Competitive Compensation:

We provide market‑driven base pay, based on skills, abilities, and level of experiences. Our salary ranges are broad, and individual salary will be market competitive based on a candidate’s unique set of skills and level of experience. The starting range for this position is $145,000.00 - $170,000.00, with additional earning potential possible commensurate with experience. Additionally, we believe that our team members are the reason for our success and all team members are incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and individual results achieved. While the specific bonus plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions, the targeted bonus plan and targeted percentage amount for this role is Bonus - MIP, 15% Annual.

Benefits

Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage

Health and Dependent Savings Accounts

Life and Disability Programs

Voluntary Benefit Programs

Company Sponsored Wellness Programs

Retirement Savings with Company Match

Team Member and Family Assistance Program (EAP)

Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays

Employee Recognition Program with Rewards (RAVE).

Application Deadline

10/21/2026

10/21/2026

EEO Commitment

At Ardent Mills, everyone matters and everyone has a voice. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and team members and the decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non‑merit characteristic protected by law or not. Together, celebrating our differences, we make Ardent Mills. The preceding position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this position. The description, duties, functions, and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of Ardent Mills.

En Ardent Mills, todos importan y todos tienen voz. Estamos comprometidos a brindar un ambiente de respeto mutuo donde haya igualdad de oportunidades disponibles para todos los solicitantes y miembros del equipo y las decisiones se basarán en el mérito, la competencia, el desempeño y las necesidades comerciales. Estamos orgullosos de ser un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. No discriminamos por motivos de raza, color, religión, credo, origen nacional, ascendencia, estado civil, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad o expresión de género, discapacidad física o mental, embarazo, información genética, condición de veterano, edad, política. afiliación, o cualquier otra característica no meritoria protegida por ley o no. Juntos, celebrando nuestras diferencias, formamos Ardent Mills. La descripción del puesto anterior ha sido diseñada para indicar la naturaleza general y los deberes y responsabilidades esenciales del trabajo realizado por los empleados dentro de este puesto. Es posible que no contenga un inventario completo de todos los deberes, responsabilidades y calificaciones requeridas de los empleados en este puesto. La descripción, los deberes, las funciones y las responsabilidades están sujetos a cambios a discreción de Ardent Mills.

Role Designation

This role is based at the Ardent Mills Innovation Center (AMIC), located within our Denver, Colorado headquarters. Due to the nature of the position and the collaborative, hands‑on work performed, regular on‑site presence is required to perform the essential functions of the role.