Product Development Food Scientist

As a member of the Research & Development (R&D) team, the Product Development Food Scientist leads product development from concept through commercialization, driving projects across innovation, renovation, and maintenance that enable growth, uphold quality objectives, and support business continuity for Mizkan America. This role manages multiple projects of varying complexity simultaneously and completes work with minimal supervision. Success requires a proven track record of executing work plans and delivering results, along with a collaborative mindset, creative problem-solving, and the flexibility to pivot when priorities shift.

About Mizkan America
Mizkan America, headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, is a part of the Mizkan Group, a global, family-owned company that has been Bringing Flavor to Life™ for more than 220 years. We're one of the leading makers of vinegars, condiments and sauces in the U.S., with manufacturing facilities across the country serving retail, foodservice, and food ingredient customers. Our portfolio covers Meal Solutions, Flavor Enhancers and Inspired Mixology. It includes trusted brands such as RAGÚ®, BERTOLLI®, BORN SIMPLE®, HOLLAND HOUSE®, NAKANO®, MIZKAN® and ZING ZANG®, and we're the exclusive North American importer and distributor of ANGOSTURA®.

Why Join Mizkan America?

We combine the resources and brand power of a major food company with the speed and agility of a smaller company. That means fewer layers, faster decisions and real ownership of work you can see on store shelves. Two principles guide everything we do: offer customers only the finest products and continuously challenge the status quo. We're investing in what's next, including tools and training to use AI responsibly so it strengthens human judgment rather than replacing it. Whether you work in operations, innovation, commercial or a corporate function, your work makes an impact, and we're invested in your growth.

Work Location & Schedule

Work Location: This position is based onsite at Mizkan America’s Technology & Innovation Center in Mount Prospect, Illinois.

Schedule: This role is scheduled for at least eight (8) hours per day and 40 or more hours per week. Core hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. Start and end times may be flexible between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., helping employees balance flexibility with team collaboration, business needs, and deadlines.

In-Office Days: Employees work onsite Monday through Friday, creating dedicated time for connection and collaboration. On these days, employees are expected to work at least eight (8) hours in the office, including core hours.

Additional Requirements: From time to time, additional onsite attendance, schedule flexibility, or business travel may be needed to support meetings, projects, and other business priorities.

What You'll Do

• Design and develop new product formulations, lead portfolio renovation, and address customer product needs across sauces and meal solutions.
• Execute the full development cycle, including feasibility assessments, prototype development, costing, benchtop and pilot plant trials, supervision of plant trials, recipe and plant documentation, label development, technical approval, shelf-life assessment, and technical support for initial plant production.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring adherence to commercial timelines.
• Build strong relationships and collaborate with internal and external partners to optimize product development, evaluate technical problems, and recommend corrective actions.
• Perform other duties assigned that support the overall success of the team, department, or organization. This may include participating in cross-functional initiatives, contributing to process improvements, or assisting with special projects as needed.
• This list is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities required for this role.
  

What You’ll Bring

• Solid grounding in food chemistry, ingredient functionality, formulation science, and food processing technology.
• Proficiency in benchtop and pilot-scale prototyping, costing, shelf-life evaluation, and commercialization experience
• Working knowledge of Design of Experiments (DOE) and analytical/sensory testing methods.
• Working knowledge of analytical testing methods and equipment
• Familiarity with food safety, regulatory, and labeling requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
• Effective project management, organization, and prioritization across concurrent assignments.
• Analytical thinking and structured problem-solving.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable pivoting as business needs change.
• Product lifecycle management (PLM) and formulation/specification systems.
• Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for data analysis, documentation, and presentations.

Education/Experience/Qualifications/Certifications:

• BS/MS in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering,
• Minimum 3 years of experience required in a technical function, or food related role.
• Solid understanding of food chemistry, analytical testing, formulations, and processing used in food manufacturing.
• Product development and commercialization experience.
• Understanding of ingredient functionality and interrelationship of ingredients and process.
• Strong communication skills, organizational, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with individuals and groups at all levels of the organization.
• Strong understanding of Design of Experiments.
• Willingness and flexibility to adapt to changing business needs and deadlines.
• Ability to exhibit a professional businesslike appearance and demeanor.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods while working on a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling documents and office equipment.
• Visual acuity to review detailed reports, specifications, compliance documentation, and sustainability data on screens and in print.
• Adequate hearing and speech to communicate effectively in person, via phone, and during virtual meetings.
• Ability to move throughout office, laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing environments.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, hard hats, hair restraints, and steel-toed footwear as required.
• Regular, predictable, in-person attendance on the business days the Company requires in-person attendance at the lab facility or corporate office as work requires. (In-person attendance is optional on the other workdays unless work timelines require in person attendance.) For non-required-in-person attendance days, employees are expected to be present and engaged during the designated work hours for this role.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 30 - 50 pounds during product testing, pilot plant activities, and manufacturing trials.
• Approximately 30% travel, including regular visits to the corporate headquarters in Schaumburg, IL, manufacturing facilities, and external partners as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation: The annual salary range for this position is $84,900 - $100,000. This position is not eligible for overtime pay.

Bonus Eligibility: This position is eligible to participate in Mizkan’s Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP) with a target bonus opportunity of 10%.

Benefits: Mizkan offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, paid time off and company holidays, life and disability insurance, 401(k) with up to 4% company match, profit sharing, wellness programs, education assistance, and employee referral bonuses. Benefits eligibility and plan provisions are subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plans.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Mizkan America, Inc. is unable to provide or assume sponsorship for an employment visa now or in the future.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accessibility

Mizkan America, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment. Employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications and business needs. Mizkan America, Inc. does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law. Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process should contact [email protected].

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