Principal Scientist

ABOUT GOLDEN STATE FOODS

Golden State Foods is a distinguished leader in the food service industry, offering an extensive array of products and services to a diverse clientele. Rooted in the values of quality service and integrity, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where employees can advance, innovate, and contribute to our ongoing success.

ABOUT THE JOB

The Principal Food Scientist, Dairy is a strategic leader who transforms customer insights into innovative, high-quality food solutions. This role drives excellence in product development, formula optimization, cost-efficiency initiatives, and scale-up processes to ensure superior product performance and operational effectiveness.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Key Responsibilities: Lead Innovation: Anticipate market and customer needs to develop breakthrough products that align with business objectives. Drive Technical Excellence: Apply best-in-class methodologies for new product development, formula renovation, and process improvement. Mentor & Develop Talent: Collaborate with Senior R&D Managers to strengthen team capabilities through coaching, technical training, and knowledge sharing. Strategic Contribution: Support the formulation and execution of short- and long-term goals that accelerate growth and enhance competitive advantage. Operational Impact: Champion cost-saving initiatives and scalability strategies to optimize resources without compromising quality. What We’re Looking For: Proven expertise in food science and product development with a track record of delivering innovative solutions. Strong leadership and mentoring skills to build high-performing teams. Ability to balance creativity with technical rigor and business priorities. Excellent communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Education/Certification: Minimum BS in food science, engineering, or related field of science from an accredited college or university. Preferred, master’s degree or Ph. D. in food science, engineering, or related field of science from an accredited college or university. Experience: 7 -10+ years of food research and development experience, with an understanding of food chemistry, food safety, and related regulations. Functional culinary knowledge. 4+ years in dairy required Ability to ideate alongside and interpret culinary driven concepts. Must have excellent oral and written communication skills and experience in interacting with customers. Experience in project management and be able to collaborate with project teams and support groups.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of (B/basic; J/journey; E/expert): Food testing concepts and techniques (E) Food microbiology (J) Sensory analysis (E) Benchtop procedures (E) Lab equipment operation and maintenance (E) Raw materials/product interaction (E) Food safety concepts and techniques (E) Food regulations (E) Culinary acumen (E) Food processing equipment and techniques (E) Quality assurance concepts and techniques (E) Technical problem solving (E) Experimental design (E) Skill and Abilities Strong Scientific and statistical skills Expert problem-solving skills. Experience in designing, planning, and executing successful design of experiments (DOE) Effectively utilizes the MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Ability to learn other key PC software, including systems housing technical specifications, ERP reporting, communication/file sharing programs (such as Teams, SharePoint, OneNote, etc…). and shared project management tools. Translate culinary direction into feasible formula and process: Should have a broad understanding/familiarity with the culinary function coupled with the ability to transform information from that function into an operationally feasible formula and technical process. Experience in method development to measure critical quality properties to achieve sustainable results. Act in accordance with GSF’s Values and Creed

LEADERSHIP/MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

Ability to lead through others, direct or indirect Develops and mentors others in the department

WHAT YOU’LL GET

People First: At Golden State Foods, we're not just a company; we're a dynamic community where your talents are celebrated, and your ambitions are nurtured. Values Driven: Our core values drive everything we do, creating a culture of innovation, integrity, and excellence. But we're not content with just being great; we strive for greatness in every aspect of our work. People Development: At GSF we strive to continually develop our people to prepare us all for the needs of tomorrow. Philanthropy & Sustainability: We're committed to making a difference beyond our walls through philanthropy and sustainability efforts across all our locations around the globe. Extensive Benefits: Golden State Foods believes in a holistic approach to wellness focusing on the whole person with benefits that support those needs.

WHY JOIN US

Golden State Foods (GSF) is one of the largest diversified suppliers in the food industry, manufacturing a range of products including sauces, dressings, condiments, syrups, and toppings for leading restaurant and retail brands. Join GSF and grow your career with a global food industry leader who: People First: At Golden State Foods, we're not just a company; we're a dynamic community where your talents are celebrated, and your ambitions are nurtured. Values Driven: Our core values drive everything we do, creating a culture of innovation, integrity, and excellence. But we're not content with just being great; we strive for greatness in every aspect of our work. People Development: At GSF we strive to continually develop our people to prepare us all for the needs of tomorrow. Philanthropy & Sustainability: We're committed to making a difference beyond our walls through philanthropy and sustainability efforts across all our locations around the globe. Extensive Benefits: Golden State Foods believes in a holistic approach to wellness focusing on the whole person with benefits that support those needs. Equal Opportunity Employer: We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our company values diverse perspectives and is committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace where every person is supported and empowered to thrive. Golden State Foods uses artificial intelligence ("AI") and automated tools within our applicant tracking system to assist with parts of the hiring process, including reviewing applications, matching resumes to job requirements, scheduling, and, in some cases, analyzing candidate responses or assessments. These tools evaluate job-related qualifications and characteristics such as skills, experience, education and alignment with the requirements described in the job posting. They do not evaluate race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. Human decision-making: AI tools support—but do not replace—our recruitment team. Final hiring decisions are made by human reviewers. For more information about your rights, data and retention, and contacting us with questions, please review our website Privacy Policy. #J-18808-Ljbffr Quality Custom Distribution