Principal Scientist, Breakthrough Innovation

The Role

The Principal Product Development Scientist, Breakthrough Innovation, will develop transformative new ingredient products to support long-term business objectives. The primary objective for this role is to expand our product portfolio outside of our current core categories into new verticals and product forms.

Responsibilities

• Ideate design/develop and commercialize innovative new products that expand the company’s portfolio beyond our core categories.
• Apply leading edge science to unlock innovation in new verticals.
• Collaborate closely with our Emerging Science group to bring leading-edge technologies and ingredients to life in commercial products.
• Provide direct supervision and mentorship to a research technician, including assigning tasks, overseeing experimental execution, and supporting professional development.
• Benchtop prototyping and pilot scale tests.
• Comfort with ambiguity and fuzzy upfront blue-sky ideation.
• Agile product and/or ingredient design with target consumer/customer at the center.
• Conduct competitive and feasibility assessments.
• Design ingredients and formula applications to ensure commercialized end products are reproducible and robust enough to meet customer expectations, quality and cost and manufacturing requirements.
• Effectively manage technical timelines and multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Develop technical timeline and collaborate on learning plan with cross functional partners.
• Deliver technical milestones within a stage gate framework.
• Perform costing exercises at multiple stages throughout the product development cycle.
• Present ideas and recommendations to senior management.
• Identify budget and cross functional resource needs.
• Identify and share portfolio-building ideas and contribute to ideation sessions.
• Travel as needed for ideation sessions, trend treks, relevant trade shows, partner collaborations to commercialize new products at a manufacturing plant (15%).

Requirements

• Food Science or Food/Chemical Engineering Foundation/Strong Technical Acumen.
• Ability to apply scientific principles to research and creative problem solving.
• Creative and strategic mindset.
• Courage to communicate directly and assume leadership role.
• Willingness to influence broadly and defend ideas.
• Adaptability.
• Expert understanding of food science, packaging, and manufacturing processes.
• Advanced degree in Food Science, Food Engineering or Chemical Engineering, PhD is a plus.
• 5-10 years in product development, with experience in supplements, pet food and/or nutraceuticals.
• Familiarity with FDA, USDA, or other relevant regulatory bodies and standards.
• Experience with PLM systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and data analysis tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or University Degree (Required).
• Master's Degree (Preferred).
• At least 7 Years of Experience.

Skills

• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• Complete insurance package on Day-1 that includes a plethora of health and wellness programs.
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• Health savings account.
• Flexible spending account.
• Life and accident insurance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Telehealth services.
• Supportive benefits for all the stages of your life.
• 401(k) with up to 6% Company matching; additional potential discretionary match at year-end.
• Short-Term Incentive/Performance bonuses.
• Flexible scheduling options.
• Vacation pay, up to three weeks of time (pro-rated for your first year of employment).
• Holiday pay for 12 holidays.
• Career development and growth opportunities.
• Tuition/Education assistance programs.
• Access to LinkedIn Learning.
• Scholarship programs for children of employees.
• Parental leave.
• Bright Horizons Family Solutions – Back-up care, tutoring, etc.
• Adoption assistance.
• Bereavement leave.
• Up to $300 fitness reimbursement.
• Up to $300 massage reimbursement.
• Employee appreciation events.
• Employee discounts.
• Charitable giving.