Product Development Scientist, Beverages - Dairy

About Imbibe

Imbibe is a dynamic, high-growth food and beverage development company based in Niles, Illinois. We specialize in developing, creating, and manufacturing beverage flavors, ingredient systems, and finished food and beverage products. Our mission is to design ingredients with impact for the food and beverage industry.

Since our founding in 1963, Imbibe has been at the forefront of flavor innovation and product development. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including full product development, taste modulation, and finished product solutions. Our state-of-the-art campus features an Innovation Center and Pilot Plant that enable us to tackle industry-wide taste and texture challenges, ensuring that our clients receive the highest quality products.

At Imbibe, we pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to continuous improvement. Our values of collaboration, accountability, and entrepreneurship drive us to deliver exceptional results for our clients. We also believe in giving back to the community. Through various initiatives we support efforts to combat food insecurity in the Chicagoland area by donating ingredients and our time.

If you're passionate about the food and beverage industry and eager to make a meaningful impact, Imbibe is the place for you. Let's create something extraordinary together!

Summary of Position

The Scientist is a mid-level product developer. This individual is skilled in the formulation, scale-up, and commercialization of food and beverage products but may have more weighted experience in a certain area. They are proficient in self-management and project prioritization to meet business and client needs and play a key role with keeping a project team on task. This individual has a developing knowledge of the food and beverage industry, holistically, and is a keen innovator amid an ever-changing trend landscape.

Essential Job Duties

• Work to formulate high quality products for clients, assuming responsibility for the design, planning, and execution of varying complexity projects.
• Batch and prepare formulas for processing at the bench and pilot plant scale, with an in-depth working knowledge of relevant processing equipment.
• Conduct analytical testing on raw and finished product samples including but not limited to pH, titratable acidity, total solids/moisture, particle size, Brix, density, viscosity, and color.
• Apply critical thinking, food science and business principles to work through complex, challenging scenarios at bench, pilot, and commercial scales. Leverage internal and external resources for troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Interact with clients on a regular basis to maintain project momentum and engagement.
• Drive progress and deliver results on multiple priorities, projects, and timelines concurrently.
• Provide technical support for varying complexity/risk product trials.
• Monitor progress of shelf life for given projects through data analysis and synthesis into comprehensive technical reports.
• Execute other duties as assigned within established SOPs and participate in SOP revision, optimization, and creation with other stakeholders. Participate in training and onboarding initiatives as needed and lead training for any direct reports.
• Follow all Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines and assist in enforcing policies throughout the organization.
• This role may require travel to manufacturing plants (<20%).
• This role may include supervision of other teammates as well as management of entry or junior-level roles (typically 1-2 direct reports).

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, or related field.
• 3-5 years’ experience in a food/beverage manufacturing facility and/or laboratory setting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite including Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, and Word.
• Skilled in data synthesis and technical writing/communication.
• Collaborative and team-oriented mindset and detailed work style.
• Proficiency in self-management and prioritization skills to meet client and business needs.
• Comfortable with a brisk working pace and environment of changing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in beverage product development, ideally with both CPG and flavor house exposure.
• Demonstrated success leading formulation and commercialization of diverse beverage platforms, including high- and low-acid ready-to-drink products, ready-to-mix powders, functional beverages, and concentrates/syrups.
• Proven mastery in beverage flavor applications, including flavor system design, customization, masking strategies, and performance troubleshooting.
• Advanced expertise in powdered beverage systems, with deep understanding of solubility, stability, sensory optimization, and manufacturing techniques.
• Hands-on experience with natural color applications in beverages, including stability optimization and color-flavor harmony.
• Skilled at synthesizing technical data into clear, actionable insights and reports.
• Effective communicator with the ability to deliver compelling presentations to both internal stakeholders and external clients.

Working Conditions

• Typical office setting for most desk work and paperwork including use of standard office equipment.
• Typical food/beverage laboratory and pilot plant setting for all hands-on development work including the use of standard laboratory equipment.
• Must be able to sit, stand, or remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
• May occasionally need to move, lift, or transport containers of ingredients weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Exposure to food and beverage product tastings which may include allergens.
• Occasional travel to manufacturing plants where exposure to confined spaces, loud noise, excessive heat/cold, and/or wet/slippery conditions is possible.

Approximate Salary Range

$82,500—$100,000 USD

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range listed represents the expected earnings for this role. The low end of the range reflects the starting salary for candidates with less experience or qualifications that meet the basic requirements for the position. The high end of the range reflects potential earnings for candidates with extensive experience, specialized skills, or qualifications above the standard requirements for the role.

Imbibe supports employee well-being and professional growth by offering a comprehensive benefits package that includes the following:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care
• 401k retirement plan with company contribution and match
• FSA and HSA account
• Generous company holidays, PTO, and sick time
• Onsite gym and wellness opportunities
• Paid parental leave
• Life and disability insurance
• Learning and professional development opportunities