Job Description

Job Description

Senior Scientist

Beverage - Bridgeton, Missouri

Full Time

The Senior Scientist position, within Flavors R&D team, will leverage scientific training and industrial experience to develop and scale-up new flavor products and systems for the food and beverage market. This position is expected to tackle projects with significant technical challenges, ensuring diligence in the development, scale-up, and commercialization of innovative products that deliver on business goals.

The position requires a strong ability to work cross-functionally to set goals and timetables, drive innovation, and support commercialization efforts. Additionally, this individual will support both local and global strategies and business initiatives while providing technical expertise to internal and external customers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead and champion a culture of safety across all activities.
• Drive product development, innovation, and novel applications in beverage.
• Lead the conceptualization, development, and commercialization of new beverage products and technologies.
• Optimize and validate the functional performance and sensory properties of various beverages.
• Support the commercial team by translating unmet consumer needs into actionable science and technology strategies.
• Support internal initiatives including, but not limited to: cost reduction initiatives, production efficiencies, and quality improvements.
• Provide technical leadership to address complex challenges, simplifying issues by focusing on critical priorities.
• Serve as a technical expert, solving broader business issues through science and technology strategies.
• Develop and execute experiments to create technical data supporting the business's commercial strategy.
• Design and conduct product testing, including sensory analysis and analytical testing, as well as review and analyze resulting data.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies and developments in beverage, fostering strong relationships with customers, research institutions, and industry organizations.
• Represent the organization in customer meetings, presenting technologies and solutions effectively.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and Senior Management to achieve cross-functional business objectives.
• Provide high-level technical support to customers, sales teams, and internal departments on beverage issues.
• Deliver written and oral reports on project status, experimental results, and technical recommendations.
• Ensure the integrity of the R&D laboratory through accurate record-keeping, test design, and adherence to sanitary practices.
• Support and mentor other scientists within the R&D organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or a related scientific field with 10+ years of relevant work experience, or a Master’s degree with 5+ years of experience.
• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in the formulation and scale-up of a wide variety of beverages including, but not limited to, fruit drinks, energy drinks, enhanced waters, sports drinks, dairy beverages, tea, and/or coffee is required.
• Experience in UHT/HTST beverage processing is preferred.
• Proven track record in product formulation, specification creation, commercialization, and new technology development.
• Expertise in formulation, including the use of flavors, stabilizers, acidifiers, sweeteners, and functional ingredients in wet and dry beverage bases.
• Strong understanding of functional and sensory evaluation methods.
• Proficiency with computer software, including MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and product formulation tools.
• Advanced problem solving, data analysis, and evaluation skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across teams and departments, including Marketing, Sales, Quality, R&D and Senior Leadership.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects while delivering high-quality results.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with industry trends and innovations.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and lead cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions and achieve commercialization milestones.
• Demonstrated history of delivering winning results.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work involves the use of typical food science lab equipment, computers, and instrumentation. Some business travel by automobile, bus, train, and plane is required.
• Occasionally, must be able to work on their feet for extended periods in the lab, pilot, and manufacturing plant.
• May be required to lift and carry large boxes or bags, and the work environment may occasionally be noisy, wet, slippery, and subject to temperature variations.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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