Senior Meat Scientist (On-Site)

Our client, a leading specialty ingredients manufacturer, is seeking a Senior Meat Scientist to join their Applications R&D team. This role focuses on innovation and product development across both animal- and plant-based protein applications, with an emphasis on meat products such as meat sticks, cold cuts, nuggets, and breaded items.

This high-impact position requires technical leadership, hands-on development, and cross-functional collaboration from concept to commercialization. Ideal candidates will have a deep understanding of meat science, protein functionality, and consumer-driven innovation.

Salary range: $110,000 to $170,000 a year

Key Responsibilities

• Lead R&D initiatives for meat and protein-based product development, from concept to market launch.

• Design and execute experiments involving physical, analytical, and sensory testing.

• Translate market and consumer insights into technical strategies and product innovations.

• Build and manage an on-site meat science lab to support application development.

• Deliver technical support and presentations to internal stakeholders and customers.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Sales, Regulatory, Quality, and Operations.

• Stay current on emerging technologies, trends, and competitor offerings in the protein space.

• Support scale-up and pilot trials with manufacturing and operations teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Meat Science, or a related field with 10+ years of relevant industry experience or Master’s degree with 5+ years of experience.

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on meat product development experience (required).

• Strong knowledge of meat processing, raw material functionality, and sensory science.

• Proven success in product innovation and commercialization within the protein segment.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and formulation tools.

• Experience working in lab, pilot, and plant environments.

• Customer-facing experience preferred.

• Willingness to travel occasionally as needed.

Why Join?

This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned scientist to drive innovation, influence future food solutions, and help shape the direction of protein development in a collaborative, forward-thinking R&D environment.