R&D Product Scientist

Louisiana Fish Fry Products, America’s #1-selling Fish Fry and a leader in Louisiana-inspired food products, is looking for a Product Development Manager to develop new products that reflect the bold, authentic flavors of our home state and maintain the impeccable quality of existing products. This role offers the chance to make an immediate and lasting impact.

This isn’t just bench work. It’s an opportunity to own the development process from concept to shelf — blending culinary creativity with technical know-how. You’ll roll up your sleeves in the test kitchen, partner with operations, suppliers, and marketing, and shepherd bold new products through commercialization. We’re looking for someone who loves food, thrives in a fast-moving environment, and can flex between big-picture strategy and hands-on execution.

This position has one direct report and reports to the VP of Marketing.

Key Responsibilities

New Product Development

• Lead end-to-end new product development projects from concept through commercialization.
• Turn consumer insights, culinary trends, and regional flavors into scalable, shelf-stable, profitable products.
• Manage formulation, benchtop testing, pilot trials, and production scale-up in partnership with operations and quality teams.
• Oversee test blends, test runs, and production runs to ensure timelines and quality standards are met.
• Own all new product documentation, including specifications, recipes, nutrition, labeling, packaging, shelf life, and cooking instructions.
• Develop and apply sensory testing methods to guide product decisions and ensure consistent quality.
• Partner with brand leadership to continuously improve the new product development process, including HACCP integration.

Legacy Product Improvement/Maintenance

• Drive continuous improvement of existing products for taste, texture, cost, and sustainability.
• Mentor and develop junior team members and technical staff.
• Lead the organization in developing product profile benchmarking to determine how products compare to competitors in retail and food service, maintaining a database of product advantages, disadvantages, and claim opportunities.
• Cultivate strong relationships with suppliers (including co-manufacturers) with meetings and quarterly in-person major supplier reviews.

Budget Management

• Lead cross-functional team to meet annual six-figure product optimization savings budget within acceptable consumer parameters, managing sensory processes to ensure consumer acceptance.

Education, Experience Requirements & Other Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field;
  Master’s Degree a plus.
• 8-10 years of product development experience in CPG food, preferably in seasonings, sauces, or other Southern cuisine.
• Experience taking products from concept to commercialization (lab to shelf).
• Strong knowledge of food formulation, processing, labeling, and regulatory compliance.
• Some experience with sensory, conducting shelf-life studies and packaging systems a plus.
• Software proficiency – Microsoft Excel (advanced), PLM/R&D software (e.g., Genesis, Spec Right, Oracle, SAP), and statistical tools for experimental design.

Skills & Attributes

• Hands-on and resourceful — equally comfortable in the kitchen, the lab, or on the plant floor.
• A genuine love of food and passion for bringing bold flavors to life.
• Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills.
• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities; proven success in revitalizing or scaling commercial teams.
• Entrepreneurial mindset — you thrive in a fast-paced, growing environment where every project matters.
• Hands-on, driven, and adaptable with a high sense of urgency and accountability.

Physical Requirements

• Willingness to travel as needed to co-manufacturers and suppliers.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Ability to work for extended periods at a computer or in meetings.