Associate Product Development Scientist

About Us

At Ajinomoto Cambrooke, we build careers grounded in helping improve people’s health through nutritional therapies. Founded by parents looking to develop better solutions for their children with PKU, we have expanded over 25 years into additional therapeutic areas with a focus on enjoyable nutrition as a core part of normalizing life for people living with medical conditions. Joining ACI means becoming part of a diverse team of talented people who want to build their careers while contributing back to society in a positive way. We seek individuals with an entrepreneurial mindset, a bias for action, and a passion for finding solutions. We provide an environment based in mutual respect and collaboration to support your growth and development.

About the Role

The Product Development Team supports the medical nutrition business by developing new and revising existing product formulations to meet target characteristics that deliver positive patient outcomes through therapeutic nutrition. In this role, you will contribute to establishing a robust product development function through ideation and exploration into innovation and renovation of products to support the medical nutrition business. This position is located in our Corporate Office in Ayer, MA.

Responsibilities

• Assist with product development activities including conducting product development trials, evaluating results, and sharing findings with the broader team.
• Support the product development and regulatory teams in conducting thorough reviews of new product concept development in the Stage Gate process as needed.
• Work with product development, quality, and supply chain teams to source new or replacement ingredients necessary to support product development and/or renovation.
• Assist in developing or updating process development to support product quality as impacted by ingredient interactions and the effects of unit operations on formulations.
• Support Operations and Quality Assurance teams to address product quality-related CAPAs (Corrective and Preventive Actions) to maintain the quality of existing medical nutrition products.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BS in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Nutrition, or a related field; Master’s in a related field is a plus.
• 0 to 2 years’ experience in product development, production, or quality assurance in the food industry (educational experience may be considered in lieu of work experience).
• Experience using GENESIS or similar nutritional databases is beneficial.
• Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft applications.

Skills

• Excellent grasp of food chemistry, food unit operations, and food microbiology.
• Ability to translate academic learning into practical applications in product development activities.
• Self-starter with an inquisitive mindset and eagerness to learn product development functions from concept to commercialization.
• Ability to understand and follow all GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices) and GLPs (Good Laboratory Practices).
• Detail-oriented with thorough recording of observations and data interpretation.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Sense of ownership and adaptability to learning new processes and techniques.

Working Conditions

This position works in a food manufacturing environment and requires adherence to all GMP, Food Safety, workplace safety, and security policies, including wearing required personal protective equipment (e.g., hair nets, beard nets).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, push, and pull as required.
• Ability to use a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other office equipment.

Pay

$78,000.00–$95,000.00 per year plus a 12.5% potential annual bonus.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and annual bonus opportunity.
• 401(k) with company contributions.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage effective on day one.
• Paid time off, company holidays, and floating holidays.
• Paid parental leave.
• Wellness programs and yearly wellness reimbursement.
• Work flexibility.
• Company-paid life and disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition reimbursement opportunities.
• Career growth and development within a global organization.
• Company-provided mental health and caregiving support.