Sr. Scientist- Food Innovation Carrollton, TX

Sr. Scientist
- Food Innovation

Illes Foods, Carrollton, TX.

FSLA: Full Time, Exempt (Salary), Permanent, On-Site

Senior Food Scientist will lead and drive product innovation projects, product renovation projects, and alternate material projects from ideation through commercialization. Key product categories include but are not limited to seasoning blends, sauces, syrups, marinades, and flavors. In this role, you will work closely with customers and internal cross‑functional teams (Quality, Operations, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Regulatory). Partners conduct themselves in a manner that is aligned with Illes Foods Core Values:
Operate with Integrity, Stay Intentionally Curious, and Believe in the Power of the Partnership.

• Leads product development projects (innovation, renovation, alternate materials) from concept to commercialization.
• Ensures the development of internal and external client relationships and maintains effective communication.
• Experienced in working closely with external customers to achieve product development goals.
• Provides leadership in the areas of food science and R&D.
• Designs new products based on targeted flavor profile, texture, color, shelf life, and nutritional content while maintaining adherence to government and industry standards.
• Develops specifications for finished products with physical, chemical, and sensory properties.
• Develops batching instructions for trial and operations.
• Generates and optimizes formulation costs in collaboration with procurement and finance.
• Leads pilot and commercial scale‑up trials and monitors at least the first three commercial productions.
• Regularly collaborates with Operations and Quality, and advises solutions for production issues.
• Maintains and organizes physical and electronic formulation records.
• Supports logistics on the verification of ingredients in inventory for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
• Collaborates and works well in a team environment, offering support and assistance when needed.
• Highly motivated and able to work independently.
• Effective in a high‑paced environment with the ability to multitask and support multiple initiatives.
• Follows GMPs, maintains sanitary conditions, adheres to safe work practices, and ensures that product quality is maintained.
• Maintains appropriate and professional written and verbal communication.
• Ensures that food safety, legality, integrity, and quality standards are always maintained.
• Performs other tasks as assigned by Management.
• Requires regular attendance for scheduled shifts.

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related disciplines required.

Minimum of 5 years of food industry formulation experience.

• Experience leading product development projects from concept to commercialization.
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and drive projects to completion.
• Comfortable working cross‑functionally and leading project teams.
• Broad knowledge of ingredient functionality, management, and product development software.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills; proficiency in oral and written English required.
• Excellent mathematical skills and knowledge of, or ability to learn, statistical analysis required.
• Computer literacy, including competency with Microsoft Office and demonstrated ability to operate complex software programs required.
• Working knowledge of government regulations and certification bodies such as Kosher, Halal, Organic, and others as applicable.
• Ability to multitask, work alone with light supervision, and in a team environment.
• Ability to work in the laboratory and pilot plant.

Taste, smell, and see well enough to discriminate the quantity and quality of individual flavor components. Physically able to lift 20 pounds. See well enough to read formulas, batch sheets, and work requests, and work on the computer efficiently and effectively. Ability to hear directions. Ability to drive a vehicle legally and safely in the performance of the job.

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