R&D Scientist II (multiple positions)

We exist to make food the world loves. Our company prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives, and reimagine new possibilities. We look for bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one another and grow together to become the undisputed leader in food.

About the role

This full-time position is based at 9000 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55427. Domestic travel is required 25% of the time. Background checks and drug testing are required.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with business teams and external partners to identify opportunities for innovation, product improvements, or cost improvements by challenging assumptions.
• Lead the development of great tasting, wholesome, and nutritious wet pet food products that delight pets and pet parents.
• Manage and lead multiple technically complex projects from creation through commercialization by prioritizing work, coaching, and influencing others.
• Create technical plans, timelines, risk assessments, and mitigation plans to execute product commercialization efficiently and with excellence.
• Independently consult, design, and manage appropriate testing required to meet business needs, enhance foundational knowledge, or deliver bottom-line cost savings.
• Navigate the General Mills and Blue Buffalo matrix to efficiently vet ideas and complete initial feasibility assessments as you scale up from bench to pilot plant to production.
• Communicate effectively with marketing and business team partners to influence pipeline and strategy.

Requirements

Employer will accept a master’s degree in food science, meat science, or a related field and 3 years of experience in the job offered or in a product development and project leadership-related occupation. Position requires 3 years of experience in the following:

• Applying thermal processing principles in the food industry, including heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics, and overseeing retort and/or extrusion processes for prototype testing and actively troubleshooting process-related issues.
• Applying food science, chemistry, and meat or meat-alternative processing knowledge to the formulation of food, including wet pet food production.
• Collaborating across internal functional teams (Marketing, Finance, Commercialization) and external partners to drive successful project and strategic execution in a global food company.
• Conducting consumer interviews and applying the findings into actionable directions and solutions for ongoing projects and product development.
• Designing and executing pilot plant tests to assess the commercial viability of multiple benchtop prototype product enhancements.
• Working with food ingredient functionalities and applications within complex food systems, including starches, proteins, fats, and hydrocolloids, and their impact on food product texture and functionality to achieve desired outcomes.
• Managing projects, including leading and participating in cross-functional teams to ensure projects meet critical path and timeline requirements.
• Leading and mentoring a small research team, including overseeing their research project planning and experimental plans.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $103,917 - $116,900 annually. Pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within this range based on education, skills, work experience, certifications, and other factors. Beyond base salary, General Mills offers a competitive Total Rewards package focusing on overall well-being, including health benefits, retirement and financial wellbeing, time off programs, well-being support, and perks. You may also be eligible to participate in an annual incentive program, with awards depending on individual and organizational performance.