This senior food scientist role focuses on developing and optimizing grain- and legume-based food products and ingredient solutions, particularly for baking applications. You will lead experimental work, analyze technical data, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to support new product commercialization from concept through launch. The position requires a strong foundation in baking science, ingredient functionality, and product development, along with the ability to translate customer and market needs into innovative solutions.
Responsibilities
Lead product development and innovation projects from concept through commercialization
Design, execute, and interpret baking, ingredient functionality, and application trials
Develop and optimize formulas, processing parameters, and product specifications
Evaluate flour and ingredient performance across a variety of bakery and food applications
Partner with Operations, Milling, Engineering and Quality teams to ensure products are scalable, manufacturable, and meet performance expectations
Analyze technical data and translate findings into actionable recommendations
Lead plant trials, product scale-up activities, and commercialization efforts
Collaborate with Marketing and Commercial teams to identify market opportunities and support innovation initiatives
Develop technical reports, product specifications, and application guidance
Monitor industry trends, emerging ingredients, and new technologies to identify innovation opportunities
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and technical capability development within the R&D organization
Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Grain Science, Baking Science, Cereal Chemistry, or a related technical discipline required
Master's degree preferred
Minimum of 5-8 years of experience in food product development, baking science, ingredient applications, or related R&D roles
Strong experience with commercial baking processes and baked goods formulation
Knowledge of flour functionality, grain-based ingredients, dough systems, and ingredient interactions
Experience conducting laboratory, pilot plant, and production-scale trials
Demonstrated success leading product development projects from concept through commercialization
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, project management, and communication skills
Ability to work effectively across R&D, Operations, Quality, Commercial, and Marketing teams
Nice to have:
Experience in flour milling, grain-based ingredients, or cereal science
Experience developing bread, buns, rolls, tortillas, pizza crusts, sweet baked goods, snacks, or other bakery applications
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Familiarity with commercial food manufacturing and processing environments
Experience with experimental design and statistical analysis tools
Ability to work safely in laboratory, pilot plant, bakery, and manufacturing environments
Ability to regularly handle, evaluate, and consume products containing wheat and other grain-based ingredients
Capable of carrying items up to 50 lbs.
Ability to work with and around all major food allergens, including but not limited to wheat, milk, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, and shellfish
Ability to taste and evaluate food products as part of product development, quality assessments, and sensory evaluations
Benefits
Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
Health and Dependent Savings Accounts
Life and Disability Programs
Voluntary Benefit Programs
Company Sponsored Wellness Programs
Retirement Savings with Company Match
Team Member and Family Assistance Program (EAP)
Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
Employee Recognition Program with Rewards (RAVE)
Incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and individual results achieved
Targeted bonus plan: MIP, 10% Annual
Important Details
Schedule: 5 days per week in the office, laboratory, pilot plant, and bakery environments
Travel: Occasional (up to 15-20%) for plant trials, customer visits, supplier collaborations, and industry events
Application deadline: 12/25/2026
About the Company
Ardent Mills provides market-driven base pay based on skills, abilities, and level of experiences. They offer a wide range of benefits to their team members and their eligible family members. The company is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and team members.
We know you care about the future of food, and so do we.
