Food Scientist

Do you love snacks? Are you looking to join an ever evolving and rapidly growing team? PIM Brands might just be exactly what you’re looking for! At PIM, We Make The Brands You Love®. Our portfolio of products, from Welch’s® Fruit Snacks to Sun-Maid® Chocolate Raisins and Sour Jacks® Sour Candies are enjoyed by millions of consumers every day. And when it comes to careers, we seek talented, results-oriented individuals who want to play a part in building amazing brands and products while working in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-paced office environment. At PIM, you can make an immediate and lasting contribution to help grow iconic snack and confectionery brands, no matter your area of expertise. We are looking for a Food Scientist interested in a career with a top ranked and growing snack company, to join our Quality Control department at PIM’s Somerset New Jersey location. This position will report to our ___________. Job Overview The Food Scientist is responsible for applying food science and engineering principles to the research, development, formulation, testing, scale-up, and commercialization of new and existing snack products. This position plays a key role in developing innovative products and improving existing products with a focus on flavor, color, texture, quality, functionality, shelf life, manufacturability, and consumer acceptance. The Food Scientist will develop product formulations and prototypes, evaluate ingredients, establish processing parameters, conduct laboratory and pilot testing, coordinate manufacturing trials, and support successful product start-ups. This role works cross-functionally with R&D, Process Engineering, Quality Assurance/Quality Control, Production, Packaging, Procurement, and Marketing to ensure products can be successfully transitioned from concept through full-scale manufacturing. The ideal candidate combines strong technical food science knowledge with a hands‑on approach to product development and a strong focus on execution and results. Duties And Responsibilities Product Development & Formulation Develop and improve snack products through benchmarking, formulation, and prototype development. Research, evaluate, and approve ingredients, flavors, raw materials, and technologies. Improve product flavor, texture, appearance, quality, shelf life, functionality, efficiency, and cost. Translate bench-top concepts into formulations suitable for full-scale manufacturing. Product Testing & Analysis Conduct physical, chemical, analytical, sensory, and shelf-life testing. Analyze product and trial results to identify formulation and process improvements. Conduct shelf-life studies to evaluate product quality and stability. Document testing results, conclusions, and recommendations. Process Development & Scale-Up Develop processing procedures and define critical parameters for new and modified products. Coordinate pilot plant and manufacturing trials, scale-up, and commercialization. Partner with Engineering and Production to ensure products perform effectively in full-scale manufacturing. Troubleshoot formulation and processing issues and recommend solutions. Support production start-ups and provide technical assistance during commercialization. Physical Demands/Essential Job Functions The employee must be able to: Stand and walk for extended periods during pilot and manufacturing trials. Work safely in laboratory, pilot plant, and production environments. Handle ingredients, product samples, laboratory equipment, and testing materials. Bend, reach, and perform tasks associated with product preparation and evaluation. Lift and/or move materials and product samples in accordance with company safety requirements. Wear required personal protective equipment while working in manufacturing or laboratory areas. Work Environment This position requires work in laboratory, pilot plant, office, and food manufacturing environments. The employee may be exposed to production equipment, heat, noise, food ingredients, allergens, and other conditions typically associated with food manufacturing. The position requires regular interaction with plant personnel and may require extended periods on the production floor during plant trials, scale-up activities, and new product start-ups. Education, Experience, And Training Education Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Food Technology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cereal Science, or a related field required. Master’s degree in Food Science or a related field is a plus. Experience, Knowledge & Skills 2+ years of experience in food product development, R&D, process development, or food manufacturing preferred. Snack food development and commercialization experience highly preferred. Experience taking products from bench-top formulation through pilot trials and full-scale manufacturing preferred. Strong knowledge of food science, product formulation, ingredient functionality, and food processing. Experience developing prototypes and scaling formulations for commercial manufacturing. Knowledge of sensory, analytical, and shelf-life testing. Strong technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. Ability to analyze trial results and recommend product or process improvements. Experience preparing SOPs, specifications, trial reports, and technical documentation. Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities. Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively with R&D, Quality, Production, Engineering, and other cross-functional teams. Preferred Qualifications Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred: Snack food development, including extruded or baked products Seasonings and flavor systems Ingredient functionality Product improvement and cost optimization Shelf-life and sensory evaluation Pilot plant operations Manufacturing scale-up and commercialization Food manufacturing troubleshooting Worksite The PIM Brands manufacturing site is located in Somerset, New Jersey The PIM Brands manfucaturing site is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week The position requires working on site We Are Proud To Offer The pay range for this position is $65,000 - $75,000. PIM Brands takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs. Comprehensive benefits package - EFFECTIVE DAY 1, Including medical, dental, vision, disability, insurance plans and much more Total compensation package including bonus, 401(k) plan match and other incentives (*based on eligibility and position) Diverse range of benefit choices tailored to support you in making optimal decisions for yourself, your loved ones, and your preferred way of life Personal time off, vacation time, floating days and observed holidays Business casual dress Entrepreneurial and innovative culture offering the opportunity for internal career advancement Professional development and training opportunities offered across the organization Awards & Accolades America’s Best Workplaces - 2026 Best Places to Work in NJ - 2025 & 2026 Advocate of the Year Award - 2024 Recognized by NJBIA - State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility and in Research/Development - 2024 Recognized by New Jersey Business Magazine - 2024 Top 50 Employer in New Jersey #10 Candy Company in North America #26 Global Candy Company Makers of Welch’s - #1 Fruit Snack in U.S. Top 100 Privately Owned Company in the Metro NYC Market PIM Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer PIM Brands is an e-Verify Employer #J-18808-Ljbffr