Sr. Product Development Scientist

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

Job summary

CPS Inc. in Indianapolis, IN is seeking a Sr. Product Development Scientist to lead innovative beverage and food projects from concept to commercialization.

The role emphasizes cross-functional leadership, designing products with sensory, texture, color, shelf life, and nutrition in mind, and handling regulatory labeling while ensuring GLP/GMP compliance. Candidates should have a Bachelor in Food Science (Master preferred) with 7+ years in food product development and dairy protein experience;

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.
• Experience working with dairy proteins preferred.
• Experience leading product development projects from concept to commercialization.
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and drive the opportunity 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 with Microsoft Office; ability to operate complex software.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and certification bodies (Kosher, Halal, Organic) as applicable.
• Able to multitask, work independently and in a team.
• Enjoys laboratory and pilot plant work.
• Fast learner, flexible and willing to help where needed.

Responsibilities

• Leads product development projects from concept to commercialization.
• Provides leadership in food science and R&D.
• Designs new products based on flavor, texture, color, shelf life, and nutrition.
• Creates nutrition labels and ingredient lists per regulations.
• Develops specifications for finished products with physical, chemical, and sensory properties.
• Develops batching instructions for pilot plant and operations.
• Generates and optimizes formulation costs with vendors.
• Leads pilot and scale-up trials and monitors initial productions.
• Collaborates with Operations to resolve production issues.
• Maintains formulation records (physical and electronic).
• Verifies ingredients in inventory for maturity or stability and safety.
• Ensures GLP and GMP adherence.
• Maintains sanitary conditions and safe work practices.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Cross-functional teamwork

Communication

Organizational skills

Statistics

Microsoft Office

Regulatory knowledge

Multitasking

Lab work

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related disciplines

Master’s degree preferred

Minimum of 7 years of food industry product development experience

Job description

Sr. Product Development Scientist

The Sr. Product Development Scientist will lead and drive product innovation projects, product renovation projects, and alternate material projects for the company. Key categories will include protein and nutrition beverages, creamers, non-nutritive sweeteners, liquid water enhancers, liquid concentrates, tea beverages, coffee products and flavored drinks. The duties in this position are expected to evolve over time as a result of the company’s growth and expansion into new technologies.

Essential Duties and Key Responsibilities

• Leads product development projects (innovation, renovation, alternate materials) from concept to commercialization.
• Provides leadership to the organization in the areas of food science and R&D.
• Designs new products based on targeted flavor profile, texture, color, shelf life and nutritional content while maintaining adherence to government and industry standards.
• Creates nutrition labels and ingredient lists using nutrition labeling software and understanding of government regulations.
• Develops specifications for finished products with physical, chemical, and sensory properties.
• Develops batching instructions for pilot plant and operations.
• Generates and optimizes costs of formulations in collaboration with ingredient vendors to obtain best product results, costing and supply.
• Leads pilot and commercial scale up trials and monitors first three commercial productions.
• Regularly collaborates with Operations and advises solutions for production issues.
• Maintains and organizes physical and electronic formulation records.
• Support logistics on the verification of ingredients in inventory for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
• Assures all activities follow Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and all required company policies and procedures.
• Follows GMP’s, maintains sanitary conditions, adheres to safe work practices and ensures that product quality is maintained.

Salary $155,000 - $170,000 + Bonus Benefits Available

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.
• Experience working with dairy proteins preferred.
• Experience leading product development projects from concept to commercialization.
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and drive the opportunity to completion.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working cross functionally and leading project teams.
• Excellent organizational and communication (oral and written) skills, proficiency in speaking, comprehending, reading and writing English required.
• Excellent mathematical skills and knowledge of, or ability to learn, statistical analysis required.
• Computer literacy including competency with Microsoft Office and demonstrated ability to operate complex software programs required.
• Working knowledge of government regulations and rules of certification bodies such as Kosher, Halal, Organic, and others as applicable to business.
• Able to multitask, work alone with light supervision and in a team environment.
• Enjoys working in laboratory and pilot plant.
• Fast learner, flexible and willing to help where needed.