A Food and Agricultural Scientist or Technologist studies plants and animals used in food production. Researches topics related to improving quality and productivity in agriculture and livestock farming, or food science and nutrition. May specialize in applying food science to food product development.
Senior R D Formulator - Nutritional Bars Position Summary This senior-level R D position serves as the lead formulation expert and technical champion for nutritional bar product lines. Based onsite, this role drives the entire product lifecycle from initial bench-scale concept through pilot trials to full-scale commercial production. This individual acts as a key technical resource for cross-functional partners and external customers, balancing product innovation, ingredient functionality, and cost optimization with large-scale manufacturing realities.
Lead the formulation, development, and commercialization of innovative nutritional bar products from initial concept to commercial production.
Process Scale-Up & Commercialization:
Direct pilot plant trials, manufacturing scale-up, and technical transfer activities, ensuring seamless transition of formulations to high-speed production lines.
Formulation & Cost Optimization:
Design and optimize product formulas to enhance stability, sensory profiles, shelf-life, and manufacturability while managing cost-reduction and continuous improvement initiatives.
Technical Leadership & Mentorship:
Serve as the primary technical subject matter expert within the R D division, providing hands-on mentorship, guidance, and training to junior formulators.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Partner closely with Operations, Quality Assurance, Regulatory, Procurement, and Sales teams to align R D timelines with business goals and supply chain capabilities.
Customer-Facing Technical Support:
Act as the primary technical point of contact for customers during product development, addressing technical inquiries, scoping product requirements, and leading collaborative formulation discussions.
Compliance & Regulatory Standards:
Ensure all raw materials, active ingredients, and finished formulations strictly adhere to cGMP, HACCP, SQF, and FDA guidelines (including 21 CFR Parts 101 and 111).
Advanced R D Documentation:
Maintain meticulous R D records, manage product specifications within ERP/MRP systems, and leverage modern digital/AI-enabled tools to accelerate formulation workflows.
Required Qualifications & Experience Education:
Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline. (Master's degree preferred).
Formulation Depth:
Minimum of 8+ years of hands-on formulation experience within the dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, functional foods, or OTC manufacturing industries.
Nutritional Bar Expertise:
Proven track record of developing and commercializing nutritional bars. (Direct experience with high-volume extrusion manufacturing processes is strictly required).
Technical Scale-Up Mastery:
Strong command of food/supplement material science, technical transfer protocols, stability testing, and shelf-life validation.
Regulatory Compliance:
Solid working knowledge of industry safety and compliance frameworks, specifically cGMP, HACCP, SQF, and FDA labeling/manufacturing regulations.
Project Management:
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex product development timelines simultaneously under tight commercialization deadlines.
Travel:
Ability to travel approximately 10-15% (primarily for trade shows and industry events). Preferred Skills & Attributes Master's degree in a relevant food science or scientific field. Active SQF or HACCP certifications. Experience utilizing AI-enabled R D tools to drive data analysis, ingredient screening, or workflow efficiency. Strong professional communication skills with comfortable, executive-level customer-facing presence. By providing your phone number, you consent to: (1) receive automated text messages and calls from the Judge Group, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively "Judge") to such phone number regarding job opportunities, your job application, and for other related purposes. Message & data rates apply and message frequency may vary. Consistent with Judge's Privacy Policy, information obtained from your consent will not be shared with third parties for marketing/promotional purposes. Reply STOP to opt out of receiving telephone calls and text messages from Judge and HELP for help.
Contact:
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