Senior Food Scientist

Senior Food Scientist - Product DevelopmentLocation: Addison, IL Compensation: $110,000-$130,000 base salary plus 10% bonus potentialWhy This Role Stands OutTake ownership of a broad product portfolio spanning sauces, bakery, and snack categoriesJoin a well-established food manufacturer with a strong and growing product line sold across major retail and foodservice channelsFast-paced environment where projects move quickly without the long lead times of large corporationsWork closely with operations, quality, commercialization, and sales teams rather than being siloed in a labDirect involvement in customer-facing activities including sales presentations, facility tours, and production floor prototypingClear reporting structure with strong R&D leadership supportPrimarily onsite with flexibility for occasional work from homeCompetitive compensation with 10% bonus potentialMedical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family401K with generous matching and immediate vestingPaid vacation, holidays, and a strong employee assistance programAbout the RoleThis is a senior-level product development role with broad ownership across multiple food categories including sauces, baked goods, and snack products. You will serve as a technical leader within the R&D team, taking projects from early concept all the way through commercialization while working cross-functionally with operations, quality, purchasing, and marketing.This is not a research role. You will be on the production floor, in customer meetings, and actively driving projects forward on tight timelines. The environment moves fast and the expectation is that you bring enough experience to lead independently, mentor others, and make sound technical decisions without needing significant direction. If you have spent time at a large company where decisions take months and projects stall in committee, this environment will feel like a significant and welcome change. Your work here will be visible, impactful, and directly tied to what ends up on shelves and menus.ResponsibilitiesLead product development projects across sauces, bakery, and snack categories from concept through full commercializationDevelop new formulas, processing procedures, and product specifications for new items, line extensions, and reformulationsConduct shelf-life studies, sensory evaluations, and competitive product assessments across all assigned categoriesIdentify process and formulation improvements using scientific experimentation and data-driven analysisPartner cross-functionally with operations, quality, maintenance, and purchasing to align on equipment, materials, and production feasibilityEvaluate ingredients, suppliers, and co-packers in support of project objectives and company quality standardsProvide raw material and formula data to support nutritional labeling and regulatory complianceParticipate in customer-facing activities including sales presentations, product tours, and prototype demonstrations on the production floorSupport cost reduction initiatives and product enhancement projects across the full portfolioMentor junior R&D team members and provide technical guidance across projectsMonitor competitive landscape and marketplace trends to identify new product opportunitiesCollaborate with commercialization and marketing teams to align product development with business prioritiesRequirementsBS or MS in Food Science or a related field requiredMinimum 5 years of product development experience in a food manufacturing environmentHands-on experience across multiple food categories; sauce, bakery, or snack experience strongly preferredStrong shelf life, formulation, and sensory evaluation knowledgeProven ability to lead projects independently from bench through commercializationComfortable working in a fast-paced, production-floor environment with shifting prioritiesConfident communicator who can engage effectively with sales teams, customers, and senior leadershipExperience with Esha Genesis or equivalent nutritional software is a plusProficient in Microsoft Office SuiteMust be based onsite; this is not a hybrid role though occasional flexibility existsReady to Join?If you are a senior food scientist who wants broad category ownership, fast-moving projects, and a seat at the table where your technical expertise actually shapes what the company brings to market, this is the role for you. Apply now and let's start the conversation.

Created: 2026-05-08