Senior R&D Food Scientist in McMinnville, Oregon - #72130 | VanderHouwen

Description

Job Id: 72130

Senior R&D Food Scientist
Our client is seeking a highly innovative and results-driven Senior R&D Food Scientist who thrives at the intersection of science, creativity, and execution. This individual will bring strong product development expertise, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to translate consumer insights into commercially successful food products. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable in the lab and in cross-functional discussions, driving projects from concept through commercialization in a fast-paced environment.

This role is on-site in McMinnville, Oregon.

Senior R&D Food Scientist Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development of new food products from concept through commercialization.
• Enhance existing products to improve taste, texture, nutrition, shelf life, and cost efficiency.
• Manage multiple R&D projects simultaneously, ensuring timelines, quality standards, and business objectives are met.
• Partner cross-functionally with teams across Marketing, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to support product launches and ongoing improvements.
• Conduct formulation trials, ingredient research, and technical problem-solving to optimize product performance.
• Collaborate directly with customers to translate needs into scalable product solutions.
• Support production and operations teams with troubleshooting and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and consumer preferences to drive innovation.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations, labeling requirements, and internal quality standards.
• Contribute to cost optimization efforts through formulation and process improvements.

Senior R&D Food Scientist Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field.
• 3–5+ years of experience in food product development within an R&D environment.
• Proven experience bringing new products from concept through commercialization.
• Strong understanding of ingredient functionality, food processing methods, and formulation techniques.
• Experience managing multiple projects in a fast-paced, cross-functional setting.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations, labeling requirements, and quality standards.
• Demonstrated ability to solve technical challenges and optimize product performance.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate across teams and with external partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience with snack foods, protein bars, or confectionery products is a plus, along with familiarity in sensory or consumer testing methods.

Salary: (DOE)

Benefits
Benefits are available to eligible full-time employees and include coverage for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long term disability, and matching 401k.

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