Sr. Research & Development Scientist

ABOUT US AT KINDER'S:

How You'll Have Impact at Kinder's: The Senior R&D Scientist will report to the VP of R&D and will be a key technical leader within the organization. This individual will be instrumental in driving key long-term R&D projects while also supporting our mission to deliver best-in-class speed to market and quality of new innovations. In this role, you will work on complex technical challenges, collaborate with internal and external partners, and apply your deep knowledge of food science to create best-in-class products that delight our consumers and set new standards of what is possible in the categories that we choose to enter.

What You'll Be Doing:

Technical Innovation & Research 

• Lead the evaluation and qualification of new ingredients, including novel flavor components and functional ingredients such as preservatives, hydrocolloids, and natural antimicrobial agents with a focus on driving clean-label standards without compromising performance. 
• Identify and translate emerging food science and technology trends into actionable, long-term innovation platforms. 
• Establish / manage strategic development projects with third-party research partners, including ingredient suppliers, independent R&D organizations, and academic institutions, to accelerate innovation. 
• Be a subject matter expert, providing insights / guidance to cross-functional teams on formulation, processing, and ingredient functionality. 

Product Development & Commercialization

• Lead complex new product development projects from concept through commercialization, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of food science, packaging, formulation, and manufacturing processes. 
• Design / execute experiments, from benchtop prototypes to plant trials, ensuring products meet quality, sensory, and shelf-life standards. 
• Develop and maintain accurate product specifications, formulations, and processing parameters. 
• Collaborate closely with Commercialization, Innovation, Operations, and Quality teams to ensure the seamless launch of new products. 

Product Optimization & Quality Enhancement

• Support long-term product optimization projects focused on enhancing quality, scalability, clean-label standards, and flavor. 
• Lead technical initiatives to improve product performance, including shelf-stability and freshness, across our diverse portfolio. 
• Apply scientific principles to troubleshoot and resolve complex product, sourcing, or production challenges. 
• Partner with the Sourcing and Operations teams to identify and approve alternative ingredients and process improvements that enhance efficiency without compromising quality. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Coordination

• Partner closely with cross-functional leaders (e.g., Innovation, Commercialization, Operations, and Quality) to drive project alignment and ensure successful delivery of key programs. 
• Provide clear communication on risks / opportunities to senior leadership. 
• Act as a champion for the R&D process, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. 

What You Bring to the Table:

Skills and Experience:

• 10+ years of hands-on R&D and / or product development experience in the CPG food and / or ingredients industry.  Experience in seasonings, sauces, marinades, frozen foods, or related product categories is a significant plus.
• Proven experience managing a portfolio of complex technical projects using a robust project / product lifecycle process.
• Demonstrated experience in working across the product development lifecycle, from benchtop formulation to full-scale commercialization.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical projects and work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Experience in collaborating with external partners, such as ingredient suppliers and research institutions, is highly desirable.
• Strong working knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and various processing and packaging technologies.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related technical field is highly preferred. M.S. or Ph.D. is a plus. 

Personal Characteristics:

• Growth mindset with an excitement to learn (and teach).
• Passionate people-lover excited by the opportunity to build strong relationships with teammates and consumers. 
• Low ego with a strong sense of humility. 
• Thrive in a dynamic, lean, and agile environment. 
• Collaborative mindset with an ability to find creative solutions. 
• Self-starter who takes initiative and is willing to speak their mind. 
• Excited to be part of a fast-moving team with the ability to be a leader and a follower where required.  
• Enjoy making decisions and finding ways to say ‘yes’ as often as possible to impactful and important priorities. 

Things About the Way We Work:

• No two days here are the same.
• We try to be good team members and good communicators, but we don’t live by hierarchy and structure – everyone is a difference maker here.
• We make a lot of decisions in the face of incomplete information – our team embrace ambiguity and tries to make good decisions fast rather than great decisions slow.
• We believe our job is to take smart risk, not to eliminate risk.
• We believe in growing our skills and becoming a better company with more managerial expertise, but we are an entrepreneurial company at heart.
• We aren’t trying to be average – we want to do exceptional things and we are willing to work hard to achieve them.

The expected starting salary range for this role is $120,000- $133,000 per year. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. The amount a particular employee will earn within the salary range will be based on factors such as relevant education, qualifications, performance and business needs.