Sr Research Scientist, Nutritional Functional Bars

Overview:

ROLE AT A GLANCE: 
The Sr Research Scientist serves as an internal and external authority in Food science with a focus on leading the development of innovative nutritional and functional Bar products from concept through commercialization. This role partners closely with North America and Mexico marketing, global strategic sourcing, quality, regulatory, operations, supply chain, and external contract manufacturing partners to develop products that meet consumer expectations, business objectives, quality standards and manufacturing requirements.  

The ideal candidate possesses deep technical expertise of bar formulation, ingredient functionality, process development, pilot, scale up and commercialization with a consistent track record of successfully launching products through third-party manufacturing networks.

The position accountabilities include identifying, documenting and validating the appropriate ingredients, formulations and unit processes that meet product standards and requirements, including product costs, quality, safety and uniformity. The Sr Research Scientist is a key position in R&D and must inspire, energize and mentor junior staff with advanced technical knowledge, personal leadership, influence, thorough planning and aim for timely and appropriate results.  

HOW YOU’LL MAKE AN IMPACT: 
•    Lead end-to-end product development for nutrition, snack, protein, functional and wellness bars from concept to commercialization
•    Develop innovative formulations that meet nutritional, sensory, cost, quality and regulatory requirements
•    Evaluate ingredient functionality, interactions, Millard reaction and processing impacts to optimize product performance and shelf stability.
•    Design and implement laboratory experiments, pilot trials, and manufacturing validations
•    Create formulations using new and existing ingredients and sometimes premixes of complex interactions requiring no guidance; ensure product complies to food safety, quality labeling, and regulatory requirements
•    Lead prototype development and iterative optimization based on sensory evaluation, analytical testing and consumer feedback
•    Partner with procurement and supply chain to identify and qualify new ingredients and suppliers
•    Lead technical relationships with third party contract manufacturers providing formulation guidance, troubleshooting and process optimization
•    Prepare detailed technical documentation including formulations, product specifications, manufacturing instructions, stability protocols and could help CM with commercialization reports
•    Plan and lead pilot plant, scale up and finally commercialization activities ensuring successful and on-time product launch for NAM and Mexico markets
•    Mentor junior scientists and provide technical leadership across cross-functional project teams 
•    Lead IP and confidentiality, internally and when working with CMs
•    Develops and maintains a network of vendors, consultants, and educators in order to demonstrate emerging and enabling technologies and drives new technology advancement.
•    Strong communication, decision making and problem-solving skills
•    Leverages statistical tools in implementing formula and process changes
•    Effectively lead multiple development projects while meeting high-reaching timelines and business objectives

 

TEAM DYNAMICS:  
Our product development team is collaborative, fast paced and cross-functional group focused on bringing innovative, high-quality food and nutrition products from concept through commercialization. The team values scientific rigor, innovation, accountability, open communication and a hands-on approach to solving complex formulation issues. Success requires the ability to work independently while actively collaborating with diverse teams and influencing decisions across the product development life cycle.

 

LEADERSHIP AND SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 
•    Technical leadership, ownership & Accountability, critical thinking, influence over authority, collaboration, decision making skills, problem solving attitude, clear communication, innovative mind, adaptability, mentorship, Executive presence
•    No supervisory Responsibilities
 

Qualifications:

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS: 

 

Education
•    Requires a four-degree college or university degree or its equivalent in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Nutrition Science or related field.

Experience

•    8+ years of product development experience solving technical problems with high protein, low sugar, functional or fortified nutrition bars. 
•    Comprehensive knowledge and practical experience in product/process development with functional and nutritional bar formulas. 
•    Drive company's initiatives for speed to market type projects collaborating with cross-functional teams                                     
•    Business process orientation including adherence to New Product Process, testing protocols and appropriate Product Lifecycle Management (Oracle PLM) and laboratory notebook documentation 
•    Experience in working in a GMP environment and leading external partners
•    Experience in functional areas that interact with R&D such as QA, QC, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Supply Chain and Project Management.

 

Skills/Certifications 
o    Significant hands-on experience developing exceptional tasting nutritional and functional protein bars
o    Ability to run a new product development project or reformulation and complete with limited to no supervision
o    Demonstrates success commercialization products through third party contract 
o    Strong understanding of ingredients functionality including proteins, fibers, fats, hydrocolloids, sweeteners, fats, vitamins and minerals
o    Experience with pilot plant operations, process, scale-up and commercial manufacturing of nutritional bars
o    Knowledge of food process technologies including mixing, extrusion, slab forming, depositing, cutting, coating and packaging
o    Familiarity with GMPs, HACCP, FSMA, food safety principles and regulatory requirements
o    Excellent problem-solving skills, experimental design, statistical analysis, and technical trouble shooting skills
o    Ability to effectively communicate and lead in a cross-functional environment especially with Marketing and Operations team members.
o    Ability to convey technical issues and productively with non-technical staff
o    Excellent written and verbal communication skills
o    Good technical and problem-solving skills; sound judgment and decision-making skills 
o    Ability to navigate a fast-paced environment with multiple partners 
o    Knowledge of Oracle Life Cycle management system used for product development 
o    A standout colleague able to interact effectively at all levels of organization with sensitivity to diversity
o    Competent use of MS Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
o    Has demonstrated experience coaching, training and motivating product development scientists
o    Has achieved positive results adding recognized and quantitative values
 

US Benefits Statement: Herbalife offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees in the U.S. (limited to the 50 States and the District of Columbia), which includes Group Health Programs, other Voluntary Benefit Programs, and Paid Time Off. Group Health Programs include Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Basic Life/AD&D; Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Other Voluntary Benefit Programs include a 401(k) plan, Wellness Incentive Program, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), Supplemental Life/Critical Illness/Hospitalization/Accident Insurance, and Pet Insurance. Paid time off includes Company-observed U.S. Holidays, Floating Holidays, Vacation, Sick Time, a Volunteer Program, Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave, Bereavement Leave, Personal Leave and time off for voting.