R&D Food Scientist

Shakopee, Shakopee, Minnesota, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 5 : 00 AM

JOB SUMMARY

The R&D Food Scientist – RFF (Refrigerated & Frozen R&D Platform) within Maker's Pride (MP) is a technical position within the greater R&D team that requires a self-motivated, technically experienced, customer focused candidate who will work comfortably cross functionally on the New Bakery & Innovation Business Platform (NBI) with Operations, Sales, Quality, Regulatory, Marketing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Project Management and Engineering to drive results within Maker's Pride.

The R&D Food Scientist enables business decisions to be made by providing technical expertise, capability and execution in the formulation, process development and commercialization of new products, within Regulatory and Food Safety requirements, across multiple MP plant locations within the 29 plant MP organization.

This candidate requires creativity, innovative thinking, interpersonal effectiveness, effective project management skills, a depth of technical food processing knowledge and the ability to collaborate / mentor / lead with other professionals, within MP and outside with customers, both locally and domestically to achieve common goals.

• Project Management
• Participates or leads some new RFF projects in the RFF Platform from ingredient sourcing, reformulating, cost management and product life cycle maintenance
• This position requires an individual to balance multiple assignments / tasks concurrently and demonstrate the ability to work independently or to lead a team within R&D
• Follows goals, writes up Maker's Pride specifications and updates customer specifications through TraceGains or other portals / hubs. Participates in full-scale production plant trials
• Works closely in cross-functional teams including Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Food Safety and Finance to design food products that meet nutrition guidelines, claims on pack and can be produced cost effectively across the many MP plants domestically . Enables business decisions and results through clear communication of technical results to management
• Upon completion of successful trials this Food Scientist, with their Managers approval, will then turnover the production phase to Operations with set specifications, process instructions, appropriate yields and run rates
• Understands the business need, designs, implements tests, analyzes data, draws conclusions, documents, communicates results, and commercializes products
• Positively and proactively interacts with customers, prospects, R&D management and all colleagues to keep projects on track. Constructive technical relationship building, trust and communication skills are key to success in this role
• Travels and collaborates with plant personnel in production facilities on issues with existing processes
• Assists, other R&D platforms, upon availability to drive improvements in production processes to ensure consistency, efficiency, and waste reduction in manufacturing across production lines
• Leadership
• Collaborates cross functionally within MP platform teams (Bars, Bakery, Refrigerated & Frozen and Packaging) as needed. Works comfortably with suppliers and manufacturing facilities
• This role involves completing RFF projects ensuring that all products meet quality, cost, safety, and market standards while business decisions are made effectively and timely
• Fosters a collaborative and innovative environment
• Identifies and evaluates food trends quarterly with the Marketing Insights team that supports the business vision and customer strategy within a rolling 2-year horizon
• Develops a working knowledge of what MP food processing lines are capable of manufacturing
• Product Development

Works on incoming new projects from the weekly CFL meetings, that the RFF Manager deems viable and strategic

Proactively works with Procurement and suppliers to source innovative ingredients that align with product goals and enhance margin

Conducts testing to ensure product quality, safety, consistency and regulatory compliance

Collaborates with the Regulatory team to ensure all product formulations comply with food safety regulations and labeling standards

KEY COMPETENCIES / WHAT WE WANT FROM YOU

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

LI-JS1 #LI-Hybrid

Maker's Pride is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Shakopee, Shakopee, Minnesota, United States of America

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