R & D Food Scientist- Extruded Snacks & Tortilla Chips (on-site) na None

Location: South Beloit, IL • Department: Research & Development •   Reports to: Senior R&D Manager

Role Overview

Lead end‑to‑end product development for extruded snacks, tortilla chips, and fried pellets. Work closely with Operations, Quality Assurance, and Procurement to move ideas from benchtop to successful launch. We welcome applicants who meet most qualifications and are eager to learn.

Key Responsibilities

• Own projects from brief to commercialization; plan timelines and deliverables.

• Create and maintain formulas, specifications, nutritional's, and regulatory documentation (FDA/USDA/FSMA).

• Collaborate with Ops/QA/Procurement to ensure manufacturability and scale‑up readiness.

• Run sensory and analytical evaluations; translate results into formulation decisions.

• Improve existing products for quality, cost, and efficiency.

• Provide on‑site support during trials, document outcomes and next steps.

• Evaluate new ingredients, technologies, and processes to advance product performance.

Qualifications

Required

• 2+ years in product development within a food manufacturing environment (co‑ops/internships considered).

• Knowledge of processing, ingredient functionality, and formulation; strong documentation skills.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and communicate effectively across functions.

• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).

Preferred

• BS in Food Science or a related field.

• Experience with extrusion, frying, or tortilla manufacturing.

• Familiarity with nutritional labeling, food safety/regulatory requirements, and quality systems.

• Experience with formulation/nutrition software (e.g., Genesis).

• Basic statistics for experimental design and data interpretation.

Work Environment

• On‑site in South Beloit, IL.

• Standard business hours with occasional support for trials.

• PPE required in manufacturing areas; ability to stand, walk, and lift up to 50 lbs. during trials.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base pay range: $60,000– $85,000 annually.

• Benefits: Include Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, PTO time, and paid holidays.