Job Description

The R&D Scientist IV develops and implements R&D plans and strategies in support of company objectives.



Responsibilities Include:


Develops and implements R&D plans and strategies in support of company objectives. Directs and develops communication involving project needs, status updates and technical advice to all stakeholders in order to promote more efficient and effective deliverables. Recommends opportunities and solutions for process improvements. Responsible for leading the teams' understanding and application of knowledge of ingredients, products and frozen dessert manufacturing processes for the completion of projects. Recommends opportunities and solutions for process improvements. Acts as a mentor and subject matter expert to the less experienced developers in terms of technical guidance and project management. Uses objectivity on project work by practicing the scientific method of defining the question, gathering and recording information, forming a hypothesis, performing experiment, analyzing data, interpreting data and drawing conclusions. Influences and leads the application of learnings, creativity and technical knowledge to add value through innovation. Facilitates activities necessary to take more complex and innovative projects from conceptualization through commercialization working with project constraints of time, target and budget. Ensures NPD adherence and that the process follows the critical paths. Collaborates cross-functionally to ensure safety, quality and legality of products manufactured is maintained. Work site is located in Chicago, Illinois with the option to work from home a few days per week.

Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Food/Dairy Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field 6 years of experience as a R&D Scientist IV, Research Scientist, Scientist, or similar duties under a different job title. 6 years of experience in the following:


+ Working in the food industry to develop new ingredients for use in food and/or beverage products;
+ Developing and implementing R&D plans and strategies for new food products from conceptualization to commercialization;
+ Providing technical direction to all stakeholders on projects;
+ Practicing the scientific method including defining the question, gathering and recording information, forming a hypothesis, performing experiments, analyzing data, interpreting data, and drawing conclusions.
3 years of experience in the following:


+ Collaborating cross-functionally to design and plan pilot and commercial scale trials to launch new ingredients ensuring final product meets all safety, quality, and regulatory compliance requirements;
+ Leading new product development and process optimization projects through a stage-gate process;
+ Designing and executing experiments to create and optimize product prototypes at bench scale;
+ Conducting ingredient characterization to determine end use application, including evaluating ingredient performance in specific categories to prove commercial feasibility;
+ Defining key process parameters and product specifications to ensure consistent, in-spec commercial production trials; and
+ Analyzing manufacturing data to troubleshoot process issues, improve yields, and reduce cost of manufacturing.

The pay range for this position is $119,309 to $131,544 annually. This pay range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time.


Wells Enterprises is an EEO/AA employer M/F/Vet/Dis