Position Title
Sr. Product Development Scientist
Position Type
Regular – Full-Time
Requisition ID
43248
Location
Scarborough, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
About The Role
If you get excited turning bold ideas into products that end up on plates worldwide, this is the role for you.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Front-End Innovation & Platform Development: Identify and shape innovation opportunities — from renovation and cost‑advantage initiatives to scalable product platforms — grounded in consumer, culinary, and technology insights. Work closely with Sensory UX, Insights, Commercial, Marketing, and Advanced Technology to translate ideas into technically sound concepts with clear feasibility pathways, staying sharp on market trends, emerging technologies, and the competitive landscape.
- Technical & Scientific Leadership: Lead technical execution across multiple projects — from formulation through to commercialization — applying deep expertise in ingredients, process, and packaging to solve complex development challenges. Design targeted experiments using DOE, challenge assumptions, and partner with internal teams and external suppliers to hit performance, cost, and quality targets.
- Project & Portfolio Execution: Own your projects—timelines, deliverables, risks, and outcomes. Proactively identify barriers, build mitigation plans, and communicate progress clearly to cross‑functional stakeholders and senior leaders, ensuring technical execution aligns with business priorities and financial viability.
- Collaboration, Influence & Capability Building: Influence without authority, mentor junior scientists, and bring a collaborative, solutions‑first mindset to every interaction. Support customer presentations, co‑create with Culinary, resolve manufacturing issues, and lead raw material approvals, building a trusted partner across the business.
Education & Experience
A degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field (BS or MS), backed by 5+ years of hands‑on product development experience in food, CPG, or manufacturing.
The Way You Work
Lead projects independently and deliver results. Communicate technical complexity with clarity, influence without authority, and collaborate across functions, regions, and cultures. Balance consumer desirability, technical feasibility, and commercial reality in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments. Learn quickly, adapt readily, and challenge the status quo. Detail‑oriented, well‑organised, and solutions‑first mindset with passion for innovation.
Your Technical Toolkit
- Deep expertise in ingredient functionality, formulation, process, and packaging and how they interconnect.
- Strong experimental design capability, including DOE, data interpretation, and root cause analysis.
- Solid grounding in GMP, HACCP, food safety, and the full product development lifecycle.
- Working knowledge of food regulations, labelling laws, and nutritional requirements.
- Proven scale‑up mastery, anticipating and addressing manufacturing and engineering considerations early.
- Familiarity with IP and contract terminology and its commercial implications.
- A data‑driven approach to development decisions and a continuous improvement mindset.
Job Family
Research & Development
Company
McCain Foods (G.B.) Ltd
Equal Opportunity Employment
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. 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 and welcomes accommodations throughout the recruitment process. Your privacy is important to us; by submitting personal data you agree it will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy and Employee Privacy Policies.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…