Scientist - Product Development
Role: Scientist - Product Development
Location: East Hanover, NJ (Hybrid - 3 days onsite)
Salary: $75,000-$100,000 + bonus
A global, category‑leading consumer packaged goods company is seeking a Product Development Scientist / R&D Engineer to support cross‑brand innovation, renovation, and brand maintenance initiatives within its North American portfolio. Based in East Hanover, NJ, this role sits at the intersection of R&D, marketing, and manufacturing and is ideal for a product‑development professional who enjoys hands‑on experimentation, commercialization, and consumer‑led innovation.
This is a highly visible opportunity to contribute to well‑known household brands while gaining broad exposure across lab, pilot, and factory environments.
The Product Development Scientist / R&D Engineer will be responsible for:
* Executing product innovation, renovation, and brand maintenance projects aligned with R&D and commercial priorities.
* Planning and conducting lab, pilot plant, and factory trials in compliance with GMP, HACCP, and quality standards.
* Supporting product scale‑up from bench through commercialization, balancing feasibility, optimization, and regulatory constraints.
* Performing shelf‑life testing, product quality design activities, and consumer test preparation.
* Analyzing experimental data, interpreting results, and authoring technical reports with clear conclusions and recommendations.
* Creating and maintaining accurate, consumer‑led product specifications and formulations within internal digital systems (e.g., ION).
* Identifying technical and consumer learning priorities and executing structured learning plans to de‑risk development.
* Troubleshooting formulation, process, and quality challenges and developing rigorous corrective action plans.
* Communicating project status, risks, and mitigation strategies to cross‑functional partners and leadership.
* Collaborating closely with commercialization, manufacturing, supply chain, and marketing teams.
* Leveraging technical rigor tools (TRLs, risk management, structured reporting) and digital tools such as Power BI and AIPD.
* Serving as an R&D point‑person for project teams while actively seeking guidance from technical experts and SMEs.
The Product Development Scientist / R&D Engineer should have the following qualifications:
* Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
* Minimum of 4 years of experience in food product development within an FMCG / CPG environment.
* Hands‑on experience executing product development projects across lab, pilot, and manufacturing settings.
* Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and experimental‑design capabilities.
* Ability to interpret data and translate findings into clear technical and business recommendations.
* Excellent verbal, written, and technical communication skills.
* Comfort working independently while effectively escalating risks or issues when needed.
* Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities concurrently.
* Consumer‑centric mindset with a strong appreciation for commercialization realities.
Benefits & Why This Opportunity Stands Out:
* Opportunity to work on iconic, household food brands within a global CPG leader.
* Broad exposure to end‑to‑end product development - from concept through factory commercialization.
* Strong cross‑functional visibility and mentorship from senior R&D and technical experts.
* Hybrid work model (3 days onsite)
* Competitive base salary plus annual performance bonus.
* Robust benefits package including healthcare, retirement savings, paid leave, and education programs.
* High‑learning environment with long‑term career development potential inside a global organization.
Travel: Up to 20-30% (domestic and occasional international travel to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico).
If you're interested in this opportunity, please apply below or reach out directly to learn more.
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