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Job Title: Food ScientistJob Description

Join our dynamic and innovative team as a Food Scientist, where you will be instrumental in formulating and developing new bakery products. Your role will encompass ensuring the taste, texture, and quality standards are met from the concept stage through production. As a key player in our research and development efforts, you will stay at the forefront of bakery science advancements and collaborate with various teams to enhance product quality and processes.

Responsibilities

+ Formulate and develop new bakery products while ensuring taste, texture, and quality standards.

+ Oversee projects from initial concept through production and troubleshoot manufacturing operations as needed.

+ Stay updated with the latest bakery science advancements and analyze ingredient effects.

+ Collaborate on quality control and address production-related quality issues.

+ Use specialized knowledge to engineer, reverse engineer, or develop products to meet customer demand.

+ Lead the creation and validation of formulations from bench top through commercialization.

+ Manage new product or product change projects, ensuring proper documentation and meeting deadlines.

+ Review and approve nutritional data and assist in writing product specifications.

+ Conduct and lead consumer tests, sensory evaluations, and shelf-life studies.

+ Support internal cross-functional teams for new products and process improvement projects.

+ Cultivate an innovation culture by introducing ideas and formulation concepts.

+ Facilitate quality and continuous improvement solutions.

+ Create and supervise the development of new experimental protocols/best practices.

+ Collaborate with Food Safety & Quality, Compliance, Operations, Marketing, Sales, and Procurement teams.

+ Set up sample sensory evaluation tests and act as a backup to the R&D Technician when needed.

+ Provide input on process, product, or formulation to aid in optimal product solutions.

+ Stay current on trends, equipment, and techniques, attending professional education as appropriate.

+ Travel as required, including internationally, for business needs.

Essential Skills

+ 3-5 years of experience as a Food Scientist or Product Developer, with a focus on baking and buns.

+ Bachelor's degree required.

+ Expertise in food science, research and development, and new product development.

+ Proficiency in baking, proofing, and product development.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

+ Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

+ Innovative mindset with a focus on quality and continuous improvement.

+ Strong documentation and project management skills.

Work Environment

The work environment is primarily lab-based, with a 1st shift schedule. There is an opportunity for one day of remote work. The team is highly collaborative, and we seek someone who actively seeks to assist others and embraces teamwork. A bonus structure is in place with a 10% annual salary bonus, with 75% paid after 12 months and the remaining 25% after an additional 6 months of service.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Hoffman Estates, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $52.88 - $60.10/hr.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Hoffman Estates,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 29, 2025.

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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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 due to a disability, please email [email protected] (%[email protected]) for other accommodation options.