Associate Scientist

Job Title: Associate Scientist

Job Description

We are seeking a dedicated Associate Scientist to organize and execute research and development projects while ensuring alignment with marketing and manufacturing requirements. This role involves planning and conducting pilot plant and factory trials in compliance with GMP and HACCP standards, supporting product development activities, and leading development efforts for primary products.

Responsibilities

• Organize and execute R&D projects, aligning with marketing and manufacturing requirements.
• Communicate project status, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Plan and conduct pilot plant and factory trials in compliance with GMP and HACCP standards.
• Support product development activities including shelf-life studies, quality assessments, and consumer testing preparation.
• Analyze data and experimental results to prepare technical reports with conclusions and recommendations.
• Create, update, and maintain accurate consumer-focused product specifications.
• Lead development efforts for a primary product while supporting broader biscuit category innovation projects.
• Utilize specification management systems, data logging software, and internal documentation tools.
• Process and track purchase orders for ingredients and materials used in pilot plant trials.
• Use SAP, Minitab, and other technical software for statistical analysis, graphics review, and nutritional information management.
• Perform product testing and analytical evaluations including texture analysis, moisture analysis, and water activity testing.
• Prepare and package product samples for internal and external evaluations.
• Adapt quickly to new systems, processes, and technologies in a fast-paced product development environment.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or related field.
• 1-3 years of experience in the food industry or flavor applications lab.
• Experience with product development in a large CPG company is heavily preferred.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with cracker development and R&D.
• Understanding of scale-up and formulation processes.

Work Environment

This position is based in East Hanover with some travel to the Whippany pilot plant. It offers a hybrid schedule with 50% of the time required in the office, with flexibility based on workload. The workweek is Monday to Friday, 40 hours, with core hours from 10 AM to 3 PM for meetings. Enjoy free lunch for contractors and employees, access to espresso machines, and the opportunity to work with exciting and recognizable brands. There is potential for movement to other departments or permanent assignments based on performance.

This is a Contract position based out of East Hanover, NJ.

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $32.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in East Hanover,NJ.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 3, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.