Associate Scientist - Product Development

Position Title: Associate Scientist - Product Development
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Requisition ID: 41034
In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.
Working within the North American appetizer product development team, and in partnership with the commercial teams, this role will be accountable for technical project management and project execution to contribute to the Global Snacking business growth. The Associate Scientist - Product Development, role provides technical leadership within project teams, across functions, and with stakeholders.
This role is an excellent opportunity for a food scientist or food engineering professional early in their career who is passionate about food innovation and eager to gain hands-on experience in product development and commercialization.
What you'll be doing.
Product Development & Testing

• Support the execution of new product development projects from concept through commercialization.
• Assist in developing and evaluating product formulations to meet quality, performance, and cost targets.
• Conduct product testing to evaluate taste, texture, shelf life, and product performance.
• Support plant trials and validate product scalability within manufacturing environments.
• Collect, analyze, and document data across product testing phases.

Project Execution

• Assist with project timeline development and milestone tracking.
• Support cross-functional project teams through testing updates, documentation, and technical insights.
• Present formulation results and testing outcomes to support project decision-making.
• Participate in project reviews and post-launch evaluations.

Innovation & Collaboration

• Participate in concept ideation and innovation sessions for new appetizer products.
• Collaborate with commercial, operations, and R&D partners to bring new product ideas to market.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of product performance and development processes.

What you'll need to be successful.
Education

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field

Experience

• Experience in food product development, food science, or food manufacturing is considered an asset.

Technical Skills

• Basic knowledge of food formulation and product development processes
• Basic mathematical and statistical analysis skills
• Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DOE) is an asset
• Understanding of food manufacturing processes, equipment, and plant operations

Core Competencies

• Strong research and project coordination skills
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with excellent documentation practices
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to collaborate within a matrixed cross-functional organization
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Creative mindset with curiosity for food innovation

About the team.
The North American Appetizer Product Development team is responsible for creating and commercializing innovative snacking products that support the growth of McCain's Global Snacking business. The team collaborates closely with commercial, operations, and supply chain partners to bring new ideas to life while ensuring products meet high standards for quality, taste, and scalability.
Together, the team helps deliver the next generation of products that support McCain's purpose of celebrating real connections through delicious, planet-friendly food
About McCain.
Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.
Leadership principles.
At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.
The McCain experience.
We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you'll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we're better together.
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Compensation Package : $69,700.00 - $93,000.00 . USD annually + Bonus eligibility
The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education and training, and other organizational needs. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
Benefits: At McCain, we're on a mission to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and well-being at the heart of what we do, every day. We understand and appreciate that each person's needs are unique and ensure our benefits & well-being programs reflect that. Employees are eligible for the following benefits: health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription drug), retirement savings benefits, and leave support including medical, family and bereavement. Well-being programs include vacation and holidays, company-supported volunteering time, and mental health resources. Coverages are aligned with country, provincial and state governing plans and can vary by work level, location and nature of the role. Additional benefit detail available during the application process.
Your well-being matters to us, and we're here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work - and at home.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain's Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here.
Job Family: Research & Development
Location(s): US - United States of America : Wisconsin : Appleton
Company: McCain Foods USA, Inc.