Senior Scientist – Research & Development

PS Seasoning, our craft is flavor. A third-generation strong company, we believe that the best recipes are passed down from one generation to the next. From the award-winning food products we make to the customers we serve, our commitment to excellence is the foundation of everything we do.

Just like the recipes we create, our team is only successful with a foundation of key ingredients: Customer Focus, Development, Family, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence. Since our inception in 1986, we’ve cultivated a culture of support, togetherness, respect, loyalty, and family values. When you join the PS team, you’re part of a family and part of our recipe for success.

Position Summary:

As part of PS Seasonings’ mission to build a world-class R&D organization, the Senior Scientist is a technical leader who will drive innovation in seasonings, sauces, and blends. This role combines hands-on formulation expertise with strategic influence, helping shape the future of flavor at PS. The Senior Scientist will lead complex projects from concept to commercialization, mentor Food Scientists, and partner cross-functionally to bring new ideas to life that delight customers, strengthen partnerships, and fuel business growth.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead development of new seasonings, sauces, and blends, including clean-label, functional, and encapsulated technologies.

• Translate culinary trends and customer requests into differentiated, scalable products.

• Manage high-complexity projects from concept through commercialization using the Stage Gate process.

• Conduct pilot trials, scale-ups, and plant validations while solving technical challenges.

• Partner with suppliers to identify innovative ingredients, technologies, and processes.

• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality to align on project goals.

• Ensure compliance with FDA/USDA regulations, HACCP, GFSI standards, and PS quality systems.

• Represent PS expertise during customer presentations, tastings, and innovation sessions.

• Mentor Food Scientists and Technicians, providing coaching and technical guidance.

• Drive cost-savings initiatives through ingredient optimization, yield improvement, and process efficiency.

• Maintain product specifications, nutritional documentation, and labeling accuracy.

• Stay current on food science trends, regulations, and emerging technologies.

• Other duties as assigned by manager.

What We’re Looking For:

• MS/PhD in Food Science, Food Chemistry, or related field; BS with extensive experience considered.

• 7–10+ years of product development experience, preferably in seasonings, sauces, condiments, or blends.

• Expertise in flavor systems, ingredient functionality, sensory science, and scale-up.

• Experience with encapsulation, clean-label strategies, or advanced flavor delivery preferred.

• Strong knowledge of FDA/USDA labeling, nutrition, and food safety requirements.

• Proven leadership in managing projects and cross-functional collaboration.

• Excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Hands-on problem-solving ability in plant environments.

• Highly organized, proactive, and growth-oriented mindset.

Benefits of Working at PS Seasoning:

When you join the PS family, you’ll receive:
Competitive Pay • Health, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance • 401K with Company Match • Paid Holidays & Vacation • 50% Off Employee Discount • Employee Appreciation Events • Outdoor Courtyard with Putting Green • Delicious Smells

PS Seasoning is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

PS Seasoning participates in E-Verify and will verify employment eligibility for all new hires.