Principal Scientist, Breakthrough Innovation

OCEAN SPRAY CRANBERRIES, INC.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

SUGGESTED JOB TITLE: Principal Product Development Scientist, Breakthrough Innovation

LOCATION: Corporate (Hybrid)

JOB SUMMARY

The Principal Product Development Scientist, Breakthrough Innovation, will develop transformative new ingredient products to support long-term business objectives. The primary objective for this role is to expand our product portfolio outside of our current core categories into new verticals and product forms. This role resides within R&D but will require close collaboration with internal cross-functional teams as well as external resources to conceptualize, formulate, and create new products. The role requires broad ingredient and product development expertise, keen consumer understanding and an ability to ideate and develop innovative ideas. The ideal candidate will have a passion for new product development and possess a combination of creativity, deep technical knowledge, curiosity, and an ability to execute.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Ideate design/develop and commercialize innovative new products that expand the company’s portfolio beyond our core categories. Apply leading edge science to unlock innovation in new verticals.

• Collaborate closely with our Emerging Science group to bring leading-edge technologies and ingredients to life in commercial products.

• Provide direct supervision and mentorship to a research technician, including assigning tasks, overseeing experimental execution, and supporting professional development.

• Benchtop prototyping and pilot scale tests.

• Comfort with ambiguity and fuzzy upfront blue-sky ideation.

• Agile product and/or ingredient design with target consumer/customer at the center.

• Conduct competitive and feasibility assessments.

• Design ingredients and formula applications to ensure commercialized end products are reproducible and robust enough to meet customer expectations, quality and cost and manufacturing requirements.

• Effectively manage technical timelines and multiple projects with competing deadlines.

• Develop technical timeline and collaborate on learning plan with cross functional partners.

• Deliver technical milestones within a stage gate framework.

• Perform costing exercises at multiple stages throughout the product development cycle.

• Present ideas and recommendations to senior management.

• Identify budget and cross functional resource needs.

• Identify and share portfolio-building ideas and contribute to ideation sessions.

• Travel as needed for ideation sessions, trend treks, relevant trade shows, partner collaborations to commercialize new products at a manufacturing plant (15%).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Required

• Food Science or Food/Chemical Engineering Foundation/Strong Technical Acumen

• Ability to apply scientific principles to research and creative problem solving

• Creative and strategic mindset

• Courage to communicate directly and assume leadership role

• Willingness to influence broadly and defend ideas

• Ability to navigate ambiguity

• Highly motivated self-starter, eager to challenge status-quo and advocate for ideas with conviction

• Must be fearless in pursuit of big ideas

• Adaptability

• Expert understanding of food science, packaging, and manufacturing processes.

• Advanced degree in Food Science, Food Engineering or Chemical Engineering, PhD is a plus.

• 5- 10 years in product development, with experience in supplements, pet food and/or nutraceuticals.

• Familiarity with FDA, USDA, or other relevant regulatory bodies and standards.

• Experience with PLM systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and data analysis tools.

• Note that this role is on-site due to significant laboratory and pilot-plant work

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Education:

Preferred: PhD

Required: Master's Degree

Experience:

Minimum: Minimum of 5 Years

DIRECT & INDIRECT REPORTS

The jobholder is accountable for the performance and results of all direct and indirect reports. Essential duties include setting employee performance objectives, conducting performance reviews and recommending pay action.

Number of Direct Reports: 1