Product Developer / Food Scientist
Rochelle Park, NJ | USA
We are looking for a responsible, collaborative, analytical, and detail-oriented individual to join our R&D team at our US development laboratory in our Rochelle Park, NJ office. As a Product Developer within our team, you will play an important role in the development, innovation and optimization of premium emulsified alcoholic beverages. You will combine strong technical expertise with a commercial mindset and a passion for quality and flavor. You will be joining a small, dynamic and enthusiastic team, working in close collaboration with our Sales colleagues.
You will be responsible for developing new and improved emulsified alcoholic beverage products that meet both customer expectations and commercial specifications. You will be responsible to translate lab-based R&D insights into scalable production processes, ensuring that each product is not only innovative but also stable and reproducible at industrial scale.
Beyond technical development, you act as a crucial link between R&D and Operations. You will guide projects from ideation through pilot to full production, ensuring smooth factory implementation. You’ll play an essential role in transferring R&D knowledge from our New Jersey team to our production site in Batavia, ensuring alignment, clarity, and technical feasibility throughout the process.
You will need to successfully lead technical & innovation projects. With a keen eye for detail and a fact-based mindset, challenging assumptions in close contact with internal and external knowledge experts. You ensure that every new product or innovation is thoroughly tested before launch.
Although the position’s primary focus is on R&D activities, the position requires regular interaction with customers in consultation with the commercial team—from initial concept discussions to final product delivery. Collaboration with internal stakeholders and external partners will support the development of innovative products. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential, as you’ll be translating technical product details into clear, customer-friendly insights. Your ability to listen, interpret needs, and foster productive relationships will be critical to success in this role. We’re looking for someone who is confident, articulate, and thrives in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
Responsibilities
- Develop and innovate emulsified alcoholic beverages and production processes.
- Manage product development projects from concept to launch, including lab analysis, lab trials, pilot runs, and industrial scale-up.
- Translate R&D knowledge into practical production solutions and support implementation in the factory.
- Work in cross-functional project teams and ensure timely delivery of results using sound project management methodologies.
- Pro-actively communicate technical and development information to customers in an efficient and effective manner
- Conduct risk assessments and support quality assurance throughout the product development lifecycle, and in any complaint handling scenarios.
- Analyze data to identify root causes of issues and develop testable hypotheses for problem-solving.
- Ensure thorough documentation of formulations, specifications, and technical data.
- Stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies in the beverage sector, with a specific focus on liqueurs.
Skills/Personality/Competencies
- Functional experience in a professional lab setting.
- Fact-based decision mindset.
- Analytical mindset with experience in data-driven development and root cause analysis.
- Excellent communication skills and a proactive, collaborative attitude.
- Proactive, self-starter who works well with minimal supervision.
- Eager to learn and ask questions.
- Enthusiastic attitude and a team player.
- Likes to work in a small team where they can have big impact.
- Mathematical ability to perform conversion calculations.
- Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.
Requirements
- 21+ years old.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering or related field.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in product development in the food or beverage industry, preferably within alcoholic beverages.
- Proven ability to support production scale-up and optimize manufacturing processes.
- Able to combine innovation and creativity with technical precision and product stability.
- Comfortable tasting small samples of alcoholic beverages (Cream Liqueurs).
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time salary position. Hours of business are Monday through Friday 8am – 5pm, with occasional after-hours communication and travel.
Work Environment
This position works in an office & laboratory setting where noise levels can be loud. Strict adherence to corporate policies, safety guidelines, rules and regulations is required.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Regularly required to talk or hear.
- Required to stand, walk or sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
- Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
- Ability to perform light physical work, exerting up to 30 pounds of force on a frequent basis and up to 50 pounds of force on an occasional basis, performing such activities as grasping, lifting, reaching, and repetitive tasks.
- Regular required to use a computer and phone.
Travel
This position will require periodic travel to the production facility in Batavia, NY and accompanying the sales team to visit customers throughout the United States & Canada.
Company Declaration
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice (for example, emergencies (natural or other), changes in personnel, workload or technical development).
Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by management.
All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.
Ready to join our team?
Email your resume at info.us@creamycreation.com
