Food Scientist

Position Title: Food Scientist
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Grade: Grade 04
Requisition ID: 43973
In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.
About the role.
This role reports to the R&D NA Snacking Innovation Director, working within the North American snacking product development team, and in partnership with the commercial teams. This role will be accountable for technical project management and project execution to contribute to the NA Snacking business growth. The role provides technical leadership within project teams, across functions, and with stakeholders.
What you'll be doing.
Technical Expertise

• Manage multiple product development projects from conception to commercialization

• Develop new product concepts and prototypes

• Translate project objectives into experimental design and provide experimental/project conclusions, summaries and recommendations

• Develop and implement all product documents, specifications and related technical costing information

• Assist in the development and completion of project timelines

• Coordinate and oversee plant scale tests

• Communicate plant scale test objectives, special needs, accept/reject criteria to plant representatives and assure the objectives of the test are met

• Assist in process optimization projects and problem resolution with Technical Services, Operations, Engineering, QA and other departments as assigned

• Evaluate and adjust product and manufacturing cost parameters to meet operational and sales objectives

Suppliers and Customers:

• Interface with customers, suppliers and co-packers, as required, to meet Department and Company objectives:

• Leads or supports assigned projects at co-packers

• Realizes customer needs by developing new concepts or product improvement opportunities, prototypes and products

• Coordinates raw material sourcing, evaluation and improvement activities with suppliers

• Assists Sales and Marketing in developing and delivering effective customer presentations and training

What you'll need to be successful.

• Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated successful experience in food product development or food science

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Food Science or related field

• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational skills with an aptitude for creativity, innovation and ability to resolve challenges.

• Comfort with ambiguity, required when working in Front End Innovation

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and manage timelines

• Project management skills and experience completing projects in tight timelines using good experimental design techniques and practices.

• Organized and detail-oriented, with excellent record keeping skills

• Ability to work independently

• Knowledge of food plant, process and equipment

• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, Food Safety, Product Development Cycle

• Knowledge of food preparation, consumer product testing, sensory testing and manufacturing operations procedures.

• Sound knowledge of food ingredients, and the interaction with processing and packaging.

• Working knowledge of general mathematics and scientific weights and measures.

• Ability to perform mathematical calculations and utilize statistical techniques to analyze and present data.

About the team.
This role sits within Global R&D team and is a fundamental part of North American Snacking PD team.
About McCain.
Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.
Leadership principles.
At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.
The McCain experience.
We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you'll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we're better together.
Our purpose is grounded in building meaningful relationships. We're big believers in the power of working together in person-it helps us stay connected, collaborate more effectively, and grow as a team. At the same time, we recognize the importance of flexibility. Most office-based roles follow a hybrid model, with the option to work remotely two days a week. There may be exceptions depending on the role and location, so we encourage you to speak with your recruiter for more details.
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Compensation Package : $69,700.00 - $93,000.00 . USD annually + Bonus eligibility
The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education and training, and other organizational needs. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
Benefits: At McCain, we're on a mission to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and well-being at the heart of what we do, every day. We understand and appreciate that each person's needs are unique and ensure our benefits & well-being programs reflect that. Employees are eligible for the following benefits: health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription drug), retirement savings benefits, and leave support including medical, family and bereavement. Well-being programs include vacation and holidays, company-supported volunteering time, and mental health resources. Coverages are aligned with applicable law and can vary by work level, location, and nature of the role. Additional benefit detail available during the application process.
Your well-being matters to us, and we're here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work - and at home.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain's Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy , as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here .
Job Family: Research & Development
Location(s): US - United States of America : Illinois : Oakbrook Terrace
Company: McCain Foods USA, Inc.