Food Scientist, Research and Development

Position: Food Scientist, Research and Development I
Additional Considerations (if any):**
- **** At Hy-Vee our people are our strength. We promise “a helpful smile in every aisle” and those smiles can only come from a workforce that is fully engaged and committed to supporting our customers and each other.
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* Job Description:

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* Job Title:

** Food Scientist, Research and Development I                                
*
* Location:

** Hy-Vee Training & Education Center    
** FLSA**:
Hourly
** Revision Date**:  3/2026
** General Function**:

The Food Scientist, Research and Development, supports the creation and commercialization of new retail food products for Hy‐Vee’s grocery, manufacturing, and in‐store production environments. This position assists in bench-top formulation, ingredient sourcing, product optimization, sensory testing, and packaging/labeling support. The role helps ensure new and existing products meet Hy‐Vee’s standards for quality, safety, regulatory compliance, and operational feasibility across stores and production facilities.
** Reporting Relations:
** Accountable and

Reports to:

Technical Director, Compliance and Food Protection;
Food Scientist, Research and Development Supervisor
** Primary Duties and Responsibilities**:
* Prepare bench‐top samples to support development of new retail food products and reformulation of existing items.
* Assist with ingredient screening, including assessing functionality, quality, and suitability for retail and manufacturing production.
* Support execution of production trials, including process verification, ingredient validation, label verification, and documentation of trial outcomes.
* Conduct internal sensory evaluations for new products, ingredients, and packaging.
* Assist with shelf‐life evaluations to ensure product quality, safety, and consistency.
* Maintain accurate R&D documentation, including formulas, procedures, yield data, and production notes.
* Support Procurement in qualifying new and secondary suppliers and ingredients.
* Provide clear and timely progress updates at departmental and stakeholder meetings.
** Secondary Duties and Responsibilities**:
* Maintain R&D kitchen and lab areas to Hy‐Vee standards for cleanliness, safety, and organization.
* Assist with maintenance of ingredient records and R&D inventories.
* Perform other duties as assigned.
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* Skills and Abilities

Required to Perform Job:
**** Technical Skills
*** Knowledge of ingredient functionality, basic food science principles, and formulation.
* Understanding of FDA/USDA food labeling and food safety standards.
* Ability to evaluate product quality and conduct sensory analysis.
** Administrative & Analytical Skills
*** Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and recordkeeping.
* Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize multiple projects in a fast‐paced R&D environment.
* Ability to manage confidential information with discretion.
** Collaboration & Communication
*** Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
* Ability to work collaboratively with Procurement, Operations, Quality Assurance, and Labeling teams.
** Education and Experience
*** Bachelor of Science preferred in Culinary Food Science, Culinology, Food Science, or related field; or relevant certification/experience.
* Minimum 1-2 years experience in food product development.
* Experience in scaling from bench top samples to commercialization, preferred.
* Knowledge of FDA and USDA regulations, food labeling, and food safety standards helpful.
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* Physical Requirements:

*** Ability to perform light work, occasionally lifting up to 20 lbs.
* Visual requirements: near and far vision, depth perception, color vision, and field of vision (with or without correction).
* Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, grasp, talk, hear, and perform repetitive motions.
** Working Conditions
*** Duties mostly in an office or lab setting.
* Will be required to procure ingredients and supplies from Hy-Vee stores and/or warehouses.
** Equipment Used
*** Personal Computer, tablet, photocopier.
* Food preparation and production equipment in test environment, store environment, and manufacturing environments.
* Lab environment tools, testing equipment.

Are you ready to smile, apply today.
* Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre employment drug screen.
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