The J.M. Smucker Co. · 3 hours ago
Scientist, Research & Development- Sweet Baked Snacks
Orrville, OH
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expThe J.M. Smucker Co. is seeking a Scientist for their Research & Development Team focused on Sweet Baked Snacks. This role involves leveraging food science expertise to conduct experiments, analyze data, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and develop new products.
ConfectioneryFood and BeverageManufacturing
Responsibilities
Be a leader and “voice of the product” for assigned projects
Collaborate with cross functional partners including: Brand Management, Insights, Product Research, Packaging Development, Sales, Engineering, and Operations in early-stage new product design. Lead discussion on brief design for product
Design products based on a business need, as defined by consumer insights, a product brief and learning plan, with a great deal of independence
Formulate products based on ingredient functionality, nutritional targets, consumer need, claim substantiation, operational feasibility, and financial targets independently
Conduct experiments from rapid, iterative prototyping to development and scale-up (benchtop, pilot plant, plant). Be able to think creatively about how to design and test products
Review and interpret data, from process trials, measurements from chemical/physical analysis, feeding studies, storage studies, statistical analysis, providing conclusions and recommendations to technical team and able to communicate to management
Partner with other disciplines and resources, both internal and external to R&D and JMS, sharing information, building upon an integration of ideas
Compose new and update existing documents such as specs (ingredients, finished product), reports, project updates, data analyses, laboratory notebooks, etc
Provide expertise to commercialization team to bring new products to market
Assess legal and environmental aspects, and patent opportunities for new products. Be aware of patent landscape in technical areas of expertise. Significantly contribute to patents that might be written on new technologies
Assist as needed in providing innovative ideas leading to the creation of new products, cost savings/efficiency, and solving product related challenges
Qualification
Required
5+ years in product development CPG food or beverage
Passion for sweet baked snacks and baked goods
Experience in product development, quality, or operations technical support within CPG (food/beverage preferred)
Advanced knowledge of food formulation and areas related to food formulation such as food safety, nutrition and regulatory, shelf life management, and interaction with process and packaging. Able to adapt testing to meet project needs
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Strong organizational, critical thinking, and creativity skills
Project management experience is highly valued, as individual will collaborate cross functionally to manage costs, schedules, and resources for the work
Effective presentation, verbal, and written communication skills. Able to distill complex technical issues and communicate to non-technical cross functional team members
Comfortable in ambiguous situations and able to create direction as needed
Lead by example and be proactive to constant learning
Can work with personal and food safety in mind
Ability to lift up to 30 lbs
Ability to travel up to 30% on an ongoing basis (travel frequency dependent on projects and product launch pipeline)
Preferred
B.S. Degree in Food Science or Bakery Science preferred
Culinary experience or culinary degrees in combination with a science, engineering, or technology degree
Advanced degree (Masters and/or PhD)
Baking Experience
Company
The J.M. Smucker Co.
At The J.M. Smucker Co., it is our privilege to make food people and pets love by offering a diverse family of brands available across North America.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
The J.M. Smucker Co. has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (8)
2024 (6)
2023 (3)
2022 (5)
2021 (4)
2020 (3)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Rebecca Scheidler
Senior Vice President & General Manager, Consumer Foods
Recent News
2025-11-25
2025-10-15
Bleichmar Fonti & Auld
2025-09-26
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