Scientist / Sr Scientist - Meat/Seasonings

Join Kerry’s dynamic and pioneering team, where your expertise and leadership will drive innovation in seasoning technologies and taste solutions for leading global meat businesses. As a RD&A Scientist / Senior RD&A Scientist, you will leverage your deep scientific knowledge and strategic thinking to lead product development initiatives, mentor junior scientists, and collaborate across functions to deliver exceptional formulations from concept to commercialization.

This is a rare opportunity to join a high-performing and close-knit team that thrives on collaboration and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional results in a fast-paced environment. If you are passionate about driving food innovation through taste and ready to make a significant impact, we encourage you to apply!

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimization of innovative seasoning solutions for meat products through dry blend delivery systems, including rubs, marinades, and brines.
• Apply advanced meat science expertise and culinary creativity to develop, test, and validate formulations, ensuring excellence in taste and functionality.
• Serve as a technical expert and trusted advisor to customers, leading capability presentations, collaborative work sessions, and strategic problem-solving discussions.
• Conduct sensory evaluations using standardized methodologies, providing insights that shape flavor innovation strategies.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including regulatory, commercial, and operations groups, to ensure seamless product execution and compliance with industry standards.
• Lead and mentor junior scientists, fostering a culture of continuous learning, technical excellence, and creative problem-solving.
• Guide the upscaling process by providing expertise in troubleshooting, commercialization, and material performance, ensuring successful plant implementation.

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Food Science, Meat Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in product development within the food or meat industry. Meat or seasonings experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated success in leading product innovation projects from concept through commercialization.
• Proven ability to drive strategic research initiatives, influence technical decisions, and create business value through innovation.
• Expertise in formulation and ingredient functionality within meat applications, with strong capability in product sensory evaluation.
• Strong experience in cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder management, and customer engagement.
• Ability to travel (~20%) for customer meetings, upscale trials, factory visits, and industry conferences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, with adaptability to new technical platforms.
• Key Leadership Attributes
• Strategic thinker with a passion for innovation and scientific excellence.
• Influential communicator capable of translating complex technical concepts into actionable insights.
• Collaborative leader who inspires and mentors team members to achieve their highest potential.
• Problem solver with strong analytical skills and a solution-oriented mindset.
• Adaptable and resilient, capable of navigating evolving market demands and driving continuous improvement.
• Highly motivated and results-driven with a commitment to shaping the future of food science.

The pay range for this position is $70,100 - $122,000 in Annual Salary. Kerry typically does not hire an individual at the top or near the top of the range, as we are a pay-for-performance company, and this range is set to continue to reward performance annually while in role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The specific compensation offered to a candidate within the above range may be influenced by a variety of factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity. Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, Employee Share Plan, Life, disability, and accident insurance, and tuition reimbursement. This job posting is anticipated to expire on May 30th, 2026.

Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. Additional information can be found at: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).

Beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A Kerry employee will not solicit candidates through a non-Kerry email address or phone number. In addition, Kerry does not currently utilise video chat rooms (e.g., Google Hangouts) to conduct interviews. Refuse any request that asks you to provide payment to participate in the hiring process (e.g., purchasing a “starter kit,” investing in training, or something similar). Kerry will not ask you to pay any money at any point in the hiring process with the exception of reimbursable travel expenses. In addition, any payments made by Kerry will be from official firm accounts bearing the Kerry name.