R&D Scientist / Process Engineer - Food Preservation

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition.

About the role

We are seeking a highly skilled scientist/engineer to lead the development of innovative preservation and freshness systems. This role is responsible for designing and optimizing fermentation-based and multi-process solutions that enhance food safety, extend shelf life, and meet evolving customer needs. The position combines biofermentation, process design, and product innovation, working across RD&A, manufacturing, and commercial teams to deliver scalable, customer-focused solutions from concept through commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Innovation & Concept Development
  • Lead the design and development of new preservation and freshness systems, applying scientific and experimental design techniques.
  • Generate innovative concepts through ideation, brainstorming, and technical exploration.
  • Develop differentiated, cost-effective solutions based on in-market benchmarking and customer needs.
  • Optimize existing formulations to improve performance, stability, and efficiency.
• Project Leadership & Execution
  • Lead cross-functional projects supporting internal and external customer requests, from concept to commercialization.
  • Develop and execute project plans and experimental designs (DOE).
  • Utilize Kerry systems and tools to drive project progress and documentation.
  • Analyze results and provide data-driven recommendations and insights.
• Process Development & Optimization
  • Design and optimize bioprocesses and manufacturing systems, including:
    • Fermentation / biofermentation
    • Spray drying
    • Centrifugation
    • Homogenization
    • Filtration and evaporation
    • Pasteurization and sterilization
  • Troubleshoot process challenges and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Integrate upstream and downstream processes to ensure efficient, scalable manufacturing.
• Scale-Up & Commercialization
  • Lead development of technology transfer documentation and scale-up strategies.
  • Support pilot and commercial trials, ensuring successful transition to manufacturing.
  • Collaborate closely with production site teams to execute trials and deliverables.
  • Ensure solutions are robust, scalable, and aligned with operational capabilities.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Food Science, Microbiology, or a related field.
• Experience in fermentation or biofermentation processes, preferably in food, biotech, or ingredient manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of process design, scale-up, and industrial manufacturing systems.
• Hands-on experience with multi-unit operations (e.g., fermentation, drying, separation, thermal processing).
• Proven ability to design experiments, analyze data, and solve complex technical problems.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and delivering results in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in food preservation systems (e.g., antimicrobials, clean-label solutions, shelf-life extension).
• Strong background in microbiology and food safety concepts.
• Experience with commercialization and technology transfer processes.
• Familiarity with cGMP, food safety, and regulatory environments.
• Experience working in customer-facing or application-driven roles.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $70,100 - $109,050 in Annual Salary. Kerry typically does not hire an individual at the top or near the top of the range, as we are a pay-for-performance company, and this range is set to continue to reward performance annually while in role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The specific compensation offered to a candidate within the above range may be influenced by a variety of factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off
• 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities
• Employee Share Plan
• Life, disability, and accident insurance
• Tuition reimbursement