Senior R&D Food Scientist

Job Summary

Maker’s Pride is the leading contract manufacturer in North America with 27 manufacturing facilities across four product platforms (Baking, Bars, Refrigerated \& Frozen, and Packaging). We operate 9 commercial bakeries, making us the largest cookie and cracker contract manufacturer in the United States.

The Senior R\&D Scientist with Maker’s Pride is a key technical position within the greater R\&D team that requires a self-motivated, technically experienced, customer focused candidate who will work comfortably cross functionally on the New Bakery \& Innovation Business Platform (NBI) with Operations, Sales, Quality, Regulatory, Marketing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Project Management and Engineering to drive results within Maker’s Pride.

The Senior R\&D Food Scientist enables faster business decisions to be made by providing deeper technical expertise, leadership and execution in the formulation, process development and commercialization of new products, within Regulatory and Food Safety requirements, across multiple Maker’s Pride locations.

This candidate requires creativity, innovative thinking, interpersonal effectiveness, effective project management skills, a depth of technical food processing knowledge and the ability to collaborate/mentor/lead with other professionals, within Maker’s Pride and outside with customers, both locally and domestically to achieve common goals.

Project Management

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES / WHAT YOU GET TO DO

• Manages New Bakery projects independently in the New Bakery \& Innovation (NBI) R\&D platform from ingredient sourcing, reformulating, cost management and product life cycle maintenance
• This position requires an individual to balance multiple assignments/tasks concurrently and demonstrate the ability to work independently or to lead a team within R\&D
• Sets goals, specifications and manages full-scale production plant trials
• Works closely in cross-functional teams including Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Food Safety and Finance to design food products that meet nutrition guidelines, claims on pack and can be produced cost effectively across the many Maker’s Pride plants domestically. Enables quick business decisions and results through clear communication of technical results
• Upon completion of successful trials this Senior Food Scientist, with their Manager’s approval, will then turnover the production phase to Operations with set specifications, process instructions, appropriate yields and run rates
• Understands the business need, designs, implements tests, analyzes data, draws conclusions, documents, communicates results, and commercializes products
• Positively and proactively interacts with customers, prospects, R\&D management and all colleagues to keep projects on track. Constructive technical relationship building, trust and communication skills are key to success in this role
• Travels and collaborates with plant personnel in production facilities on issues with existing processes
• Assists, Core Bakery R\&D (CB), upon availability to drive improvements in production processes to ensure consistency, efficiency, and waste reduction in manufacturing across production lines
• Leadership:
• Collaborates cross functionally within Maker’s Pride platform teams (Bars, Bakery, Refrigerated \& Frozen and Packaging) as needed. Works comfortably with suppliers and manufacturing facilities
• This role involves driving New Bakery projects under managements supervision ensuring that all products meet quality, cost, safety, and market standards while business decisions are made effectively and timely
• Fosters a collaborative and innovative environment
• Identifies and evaluates food trends with the Marketing Insights team that supports the business vision and customer strategy within a rolling 2-year horizon
• Develops a working knowledge of what Maker’s Pride food processing lines are capable of manufacturing

Product Development

• Takes ownership of incoming projects from the weekly CFL meetings, that the NBI Manager/ SME/Director deem viable and strategic
• Conducts bench, pilot plant and production trials on new projects
• Communicates co-manufacturing developments for key customers through the promotion of our manufacturing services and capabilities. This includes specifying ingredients, process parameters, developing ingredient statements and calculated nutritional statements through formulation software, sample production, profit thresholds, ordering analysis of samples to be sent to a third-party lab and sample validation before shipping to customers and Maker’s Pride R\&D management
• Translates market trends and the consumer/business needs into innovative products and packages that can be commercialized in a fast-paced environment

Ingredient Sourcing \& Research

• Develops knowledge of suppliers, food manufacturers, trends, technological advancements, and ingredient innovations, incorporating them into product development
• Influences, manages projects, and solves problems effectively and efficiently
• Brings an entrepreneurial spirit and growth mindset with new ingredients to reduce formulation material costs

Cost And Process Optimization

• Proactively works with procurement and suppliers to source innovative ingredients that align with product goals and enhance margin
• Provides training and support to operations staff on new recipes and processes

Product Testing \& Quality Control

• Conducts testing to ensure product quality, safety, consistency and regulatory compliance
• Drives Sensory evaluations and consumer testing to ensure products meet desired standards
• Tests products for shelf life, storage stability, and packaging suitability

Customer \& Market Focus

• Stays up-to-date on bakery trends quarterly and competitive products with Marketing Insights
• Stays up-to-date with industry developments, ingredients, and emerging technologies
• Engages with customers and marketing teams to ensure that products meet consumer preferences and brand positioning
• Attends industry conferences, trade shows, and meetings with customers while identifying market needs and new business opportunities

Regulatory \& Compliance

• Collaborates with the regulatory team to ensure all product formulations comply with food safety regulations and labeling standards
• Works with legal and regulatory teams to manage product claims, certifications (e.g., sugar-free, kosher, halal, organic) and ingredient transparency

Collaboration

• Ability to manage a high-volume workflow in a fast paced, action-oriented environment
• Works closely with cross-functional teams including Business Development, Supply Chain, and Packaging to develop products that drive revenue results to meet the company’s goals
• Works closely with Core Bakery (CB), upon availability, on core bakery projects
• Communicates findings, challenges, and solutions effectively with stakeholders at various levels on regular intervals and through structured 1:1s

Key Competencies / What We Want From You

• Highly knowledgeable of commercial bakery production equipment and processes is preferred
• Proven experience in developing and scaling up bakery products cost effectively in a commercial setting
• Excellent project management, critical thinking, organizational, leadership skills \& communication
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, SAP (or other ERP software), and Nutrition Labeling Software (Genesis/Product Vision)
• Familiarity with regulatory standards, nutritional labeling, and product safety protocols
• Engagement of the cross-functional teams and driving projects within the platform
• A desire to drive your future and accelerate your career while leading, coaching and mentoring others

Education \& Experience

• BS/MS/PhD in Food Science, Cereal Science, Grain Science, Culinary Arts, Baking \& Pastry or equivalent.
• 5-8 years of experience in product development and commercialization required
• Baking education and/or work experience required
• Formula/ product development experience in biscuits (cookies, crackers) preferred. Confections (chocolate, caramel) experience a plus

Physical Requirements

• Sitting at a workstation for extended periods of time
• Stand, walk, climb stairs on a frequent basis
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds with help on an infrequent basis
• Office-based with regular time spent in the R\&D lab/ pilot plant and production facilities
• Up to 25% travel domestically to suppliers, production sites or to attend industry conferences

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are legally authorized to work in the location to which they apply.

Maker's Pride is an Equal Opportunity Employer.