Product Development Scientist

Grow with Welch's! Welch's is on a journey towards our bold ambition of being the global-leader of convenient, good for you fruit-based food and beverages. To turn this goal into a reality we need you and other exceptionally talented, agile, and innovative individuals who are eager to contribute to something extraordinary! At Welch's, we're not just offering a job; we're inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, authentic, and inclusive culture where you not only belong, but also have the opportunity to unleash the best, most authentic version of you. Position Summary We're creating a new Food Scientist role to help accelerate innovation across our growing portfolio of fruit-based foods and beverages. In this highly visible, hands-on position, you'll help transform consumer insights and emerging trends into products people love. You'll lead projects from early-stage concept and prototyping through scale-up and commercialization, solving technical challenges, influencing key decisions, and partnering across the organization to bring ideas to market. This is an exciting opportunity for an inventive and adaptable food scientist who thrives at the intersection of creativity, technical rigor, and business impact. If you enjoy moving between the lab, the manufacturing floor, and the cross-functional project table and want to help shape what's next for Welch's, we want to hear from you. Where You'll Work: This role is based at our headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, where you'll be immersed in a collaborative environment designed to bring people, ideas, and innovation together. Our hybrid schedule balances in-person collaboration and relationship building with flexibility and well-being. Employees work in the office three days per week, with Thursday and Friday designated as remote-flex days. What You'll Do: Own and drive product innovation projects from concept through commercialization, balancing consumer relevance, technical feasibility, and business viability. Translate consumer insights, emerging trends, and unmet needs into prototypes and compelling product concepts. Partner with Marketing and Consumer Insights to develop consumer learning plans and use findings to guide product development. Make informed trade-off decisions across cost, quality, speed, and feasibility to achieve business objectives. Coordinate with internal manufacturing teams and co-manufacturing partners to align project timelines, trial plans, and qualification requirements. Leverage supplier partnerships, data, and AI-enabled tools to anticipate trends, identify white-space opportunities, and assess the competitive landscape. Provide technical expertise to support business continuity, quality monitoring, productivity, cost optimization, and product improvement initiatives. Collaborate across Marketing, Consumer Insights, Quality Assurance, Operations, Finance, and other functions to deliver project goals. Create and review specifications throughout the new product development cycle, including raw material, nutritional, formulation, manufacturing, and finished-product specifications. Who You Are: Passionate about consumer-led innovation and equally committed to strong technical execution. Curious, creative, and willing to challenge assumptions. Comfortable influencing decisions and leading through cross-functional partnerships. Able to bring clarity to ambiguity and turn possibilities into actionable plans. Hands-on and resourceful, with the drive to build, test, learn, and iterate quickly. Skilled at balancing speed with rigor and making thoughtful, timely decisions. Adaptable and responsive to new insights, changing priorities, and evolving business needs. Accountable for outcomes and persistent in working through complex challenges. Proactive in anticipating obstacles and developing practical plans to overcome them. Able to look beyond your own function and consider the broader needs of the business. Excited to imagine how consumer behaviors and expectations will evolve---and create solutions for what comes next. What You'll Need: At least three years of new product development experience, with a demonstrated track record of launching food and/or beverage products from concept through commercialization. A bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Experience influencing and leading within cross-functional teams. Experience providing technical leadership for complex product commercialization, scale-up, and launch activities. Experience managing external partners, including suppliers, service providers, co-manufacturers, and laboratories. The ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize effectively. Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate data into informed decisions. Working knowledge of food safety, Good Manufacturing Practices, regulatory requirements, and quality systems. An understanding of project management principles. General knowledge of food and beverage processing and filling equipment. Willingness to travel up to 20% based on project needs. Experience with fruit or vegetable-based beverages and spreads is preferred, not required. Experience working in manufacturing environments also preferred, but not required. What You'll Enjoy: At Welch's, you'll be part of a purpose-driven organization with a bold vision for the future and a culture built on collaboration, belonging, and impact. We offer a comprehensive rewards package designed to support your well-being, growth, and success, including: Inclusive culture: Join a workplace where you belong, are encouraged to share your voice, and have the opportunity to be the best version of yourself. Passionate community: Make an individual impact on the success of the business while working alongside colleagues who care deeply about what we do. Hybrid work model: Enjoy a flexible and collaborative work environment designed to support well-being, productivity, and connection. Paid time off and holidays: Take time away from work to rest, recharge, and focus on what matters most. Paid volunteer time off: Receive 40 hours of paid volunteer time annually for all non-union employees. Development and advancement: Access LinkedIn Learning, tuition reimbursement, and both formal and informal opportunities to grow your career. Competitive compensation: Receive a competitive base salary and annual incentive plan. 401(k) plan: Benefit from a generous company match to help support your financial future. Flexible benefits from day one: Choose benefits that meet your needs and preferences, including health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; life and accident insurance; Employee Assistance Programs; and additional savings through Perks at Work. Paid parental and adoption leave: Available after 6 months of employment. Compensation The anticipated hiring base salary range for this position is $80,000 to $90,000 annually for US-based employees. This range reflects the minimum and maximum base salary for the position across all US locations, is based on a full-time work schedule, and represents Welch's good faith estimate as of the date of this posting. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for participation in a bonus plan. #LI-Hybrid Welch's is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to the prevention of employment discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and/or military or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other action covered by federal or applicable state/local laws. Welch's offers more than just a job - it's an opportunity to grow, innovate, and make a global impact with a passionate community. #J-18808-Ljbffr