RD&A Senior Scientist - Coatings

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

The RD&A Senior Scientist will report to the RD&A Coatings Food Service Manager. This role is responsible for product development, technical expertise, and ownership of key Food Service customer accounts as it relates to breaded and fried poultry and associated meal applications and products. The RD&A Senior Scientist will be expected to independently deliver on customer projects, while understanding commercial production capabilities, and taking products from initial development through commercialization. They will also need to be able to confidently engage the customer through multiple interactions including presentations and interactive working sessions. Beyond customer responsibilities, food formulation and systems experience are preferred. This person needs to be able to work well with the Coatings team, as well as cross-functionally with multiple roles, including but not limited to, sales, business development, and regulatory.

Key responsibilities

• Lead/Own R&D management of key food service customer accounts
• Work with customers for both internal and external requests, to satisfy project needs from a conceptual phase through commercialization and troubleshooting
• Be able to understand and troubleshoot customer production processes
• Be a strong part of customer facing cross functional team to deliver solutions that will “Nourish and Delight” our customers
• Coordinate customer calls with sales/culinary representatives through presentations both technical and culinary based.
• Develop gold standards working with Culinary and subject matter experts (SMEs)
• Be able to effectively and efficiently match competitive products, optimize formulations, take products from concept to commercialization, and execute internal processes.
• Conduct research including new product research and the development of foods
• Participate in ideation/brainstorming
• Develop and protect Intellectual Property by documenting research notes.

Qualifications and skills

• Knowledgeable about food chemistry, sensory, microbiology, food packaging systems and food engineering
• Able to understand the overall business objectives, customer expectations, and technical needs
• Product development experience preferred
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams at multi levels within the organization
• Excellent interpersonal, communication skills, written and verbal
• Accepts Feedback, Resilient
• Employ efficient time management, able to meet deadlines, experience with managing projects
• Strong troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and critical thinking skills
• Travel to Kerry production plants and to customers 40%
• Must be able to taste and smell chemicals, flavors and food products.
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time in a laboratory setting and lift 50 pounds.

• BS in Food Science or related sciences required.
• MS/PhD in Food Science or related sciences optional.
• 5-10 years work experience in RD&A food service environment or related field preferred.
• Direct Report.

The typical hiring range for this role is $75,602 to $123,432 annually and is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, location, etc. In addition to your pay, Kerry offers benefits such as a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and retirement contribution (all benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements).

​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.