Bakery Process & Product Scientist

Overview

Richelieu Foods, Inc. is a leading national private label and contract packing food manufacturer focused on frozen pizza. We have two manufacturing facilities located in IL and WI. We provide products to national retailers, wholesalers, distributors, club and mass stores, and industrial accounts including other food manufacturers. At Richelieu Foods, we are dedicated to a culture of belonging for everyone. Driven by our values of ownership, respect, and growth, we put people, safety, and quality above all else.

Job Summary

The Bakery Process & Product Scientist serves as the critical technical bridge between R&D, Quality, and high-volume bakery manufacturing operations. This role applies food science, baking chemistry, and manufacturing process principles to diagnose and resolve product and process issues encountered on the production line. The role ensures products developed in R&D can be successfully scaled, stabilized, and consistently produced in a fast-paced automated manufacturing environment while meeting quality, food safety, and cost targets.

Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Manufacturing, this position spends significant time on the production floor, partnering directly with line leaders, operators, and quality teams to troubleshoot real-time baking, texture, appearance, and shelf-life challenges.

Food Science & Quality Assurance

• Apply food science principles to improve dough rheology, fermentation, baking processes, and product stability.
• Conduct research on new ingredients and technologies to improve product quality, shelf-life, and nutritional value.
• Collaborate with R&D teams to support new product development and process validation.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and shelf-life studies to maintain product integrity.
• Lead product trials and scale-up processes from lab to production, addressing any issues that arise.

Quality, Food Safety, & Documentation

• Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure compliance with food safety, GMPs, and regulatory standards.
• Maintain and monitor robust food safety programs.
• Support root cause analysis for customer complaints or internal quality failures.
• Contribute to technical documentation including process standards, critical control parameters, and technical troubleshooting guides.

Manufacturing and Line Support

• Serve as the technical expert on the bakery line, supporting day-to-day production issues related to dough development and handling, proofing and fermentation behavior, oven performance, heat transfer, bake profiles, product texture, structure, and moisture.
• Collaborate with the Manufacturing team to diagnose and resolve in-process product defects.
• Partner with the Manufacturing team to optimize line parameters, set points, and changeovers.
• Ensure that tasks and functions are performed in a safe manner that upholds expectations throughout the production and packaging processes.

Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Utilize Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Implement data-driven process controls for temperature, humidity, and ingredient ratios.
• Drive automation initiatives and integrate advanced technologies for real-time monitoring.
• Support CAPA investigations related to product quality deviations.

Compliance & Reporting

• In partnership with Divisional Safety, ensure Factory meets OSHA requirements and continually improve safety through TRIR and LTIR by addressing both physical safety issues and unsafe employee behaviors.
• Maintain and improve housekeeping in all areas.
• Maintain accurate production records, batch logs, and regulatory documentation.
• Prepare KPI reports on yield, efficiency, waste reduction, and quality metrics for senior leadership.
• Ensure adherence to environmental and sustainability standards.

• Highly effective network collaboration skills, able to work and coordinate efficiently across several business functions and key stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of skill and experience internally, suppliers and customers.
• Ability to influence without direct authority, delivering results in partnership with and through people.
• Strong organizational and planning abilities and excellent analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Unwavering integrity and honesty at all times.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Hands-on in the plant with demonstrated success in building credibility and respect with manufacturing teams for practical, applicable solutions.
• Ability to translate science into operator-friendly guidance.

• Bachelor’s in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, or relevant professional experience.
• Minimum of seven (7) years food manufacturing experience, at least 4 in commercial or industrial bakery manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of ingredient functionality, baking chemistry, and microbiology.
• Working knowledge of quality and safety regulatory…