Unknown Company

Principal Scientist (Liquid Product Development)

chicago, il • Posted 1 weeks ago
Onsite Full Time Science

Ready to shape the future of shelf-stable innovation? You will serve as a technical subject matter expert in the development and commercialization of shelf-stable liquid food products. This role requires deep expertise in formulation, processing (thermal / non-thermal), and shelf-life stability, combined with strong manufacturing integration, direct customer engagement, and project leadership capabilities.

This role is on-site; travel is required up to 30% with the majority being local.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership & Product Development

  • Serve as a recognized subject matter expert in food science, chemistry, and product development with a focus on shelf-stable liquid systems (e.g., emulsions, sauces, dressings, beverages).
  • Lead formulation development from concept through commercialization, ensuring products meet customer expectations, sensory, quality, cost, and shelf-life objectives.
  • Apply advanced understanding of microbiological stability, water activity, pH control, thermal processing, and preservation systems to ensure product safety and compliance.
  • Drive troubleshooting and optimization efforts for formulas, process, and ingredient functionality.

Manufacturing Integration

  • Partner closely with operations to scale formulations from bench to plant, ensuring manufacturability and efficiency.
  • Demonstrate working knowledge of processing technologies.
  • Lead plant trials, establish product specifications, and process validation.

Project & Portfolio Leadership

  • Take part in cross-functional teams across short- and long-term innovation and commercialization projects. Teams will consist of customer personnel, company personnel and in some cases, competitor personnel.
  • Manage multiple concurrent projects with compressed timelines and delivery accountability.

Customer & Commercial Engagement

  • Interface directly with customers to understand technical requirements, present solutions, and resolve product challenges.
  • Translate customer needs into actionable development strategies and deliver commercially viable outcomes.
  • Possess communication skills to support customer presentations with technical commentary and data-back decision making.

People Development & Knowledge Leadership

  • Mentor and coach junior scientists to help contribute personnel development within the R&D organization.
  • Promote best practices and continuous improvement within product development and commercialization processes.

Salary

$110,000 - $125,000 + Bonus

Benefits Available

Qualifications:

Required:

  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related scientific discipline.
  • Minimum 10+ years of direct, hands-on R&D experience in shelf-stable liquid food or beverage development.
  • Proven experience scaling products from bench to full manufacturing, including plant trial leadership.
  • Direct experience interfacing with customers in a technical capacity (co-development, troubleshooting, presentations).

Preferred:

  • Advanced degree in Food Science or related field.
  • Experience in high-paced, customer-driven product development environments (e.g., B2B ingredient or food manufacturing companies).

JO: 65.26JF

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