Scientist

Responsibilities:

The Product Development Scientist will be responsible for identifying technical solutions and delivering product formulation and scale-up needs for the innovation and renovation project portfolio, leveraging a strong foundation in product development and food science or food engineering principles. Partner with Marketing to leverage and translate sensory and consumer insights into products from concept to launch, with particular focus on formulation performance, stability, and manufacturability.

Lead overall product development initiatives from benchtop formulation through scale-up and industrialization, with an emphasis on beverage and liquid-based systems where applicable (e.g., beverages, soups, dressings, or similar liquid food matrices). Support associated industrialization trials in close collaboration with Quality and Engineering teams. Represent the R&D team as a subject matter expert for product development and ensure effective product knowledge transfer to manufacturing sites.

Collaborate internally and externally to build strong technical relationships that continuously improve product development capabilities and enable agile project execution. Work closely with Procurement to ensure new suppliers and ingredients are technically qualified and fit for use in current and future formulations.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Lead consumer-focused new product and formula development projects for all domestic brands (Pure Life, Saratoga, Mountain Valley, Splash Refreshers Still & Sparkling, Poland Springs, Deer Park, Zephyrhills, Ozarka, Ice Mountain, Sparklettes, and Arrowhead).
• Set and manage product development project plans and facilitate execution to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Hands-on benchtop development, formulation optimization, scale-up, and industrialization of beverage and liquid-based products (preferred but not required).
• Apply food science, food engineering, or related technical knowledge to address formulation, processing, and quality challenges.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Quality, Engineering, Purchasing, Regulatory, and Legal, while leveraging external resources such as ingredient suppliers, flavor houses, co-manufacturers, and third-party developers.
• Lead the qualification of third-party flavor houses and develop RFPs/briefs for new flavor and ingredient opportunities.
• Lead ingredient, product recipe, and specification development through the industrialization phase.
• Manage the technical direction of projects, identifying and communicating key deliverables, risks, and next steps.
• Manage complex relationships with ingredient suppliers, process technology partners, contract developers and manufacturers, consultants, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Effectively prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects of varying scope and duration.
• Utilize the Primo Brands stage-gate innovation framework to ensure compliance with the Quality Management System and all relevant Technical Instructions.
• Support ongoing operations through recipe or ingredient specification changes and qualification of new ingredients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 5+ years of relevant experience in product development, formulation, process scale-up, quality, or manufacturing within a CPG environment.
• Product development experience in beverage and/or liquid food systems (e.g., beverages, soups, salad dressings) strongly preferred but not required.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently in a matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage technical complexity and ambiguity.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence cross-functionally and collaborate effectively at all organizational levels.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, lead discussions, and present technical and project updates to diverse audiences.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint, and SAP.
• Working understanding of financials, including COGS and basic P&L concepts.
• Six Sigma Certification (GSTD/DMAIC) or FI experience a plus.
• Ability to travel approximately 15% throughout the year.

The target hiring compensation range for this role is $55.00 to $65.95 an hour. Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location.