Product Development Scientist (Biotech)

About Us:
Trilliant Food & Nutrition is a leading, vertically integrated manufacturer of premium coffees and powdered beverages, proudly headquartered in Little Chute, Wisconsin. With a legacy rooted in quality, innovation, and service, Trilliant delivers branded and private label solutions across retail, foodservice, and e-commerce channels.

Horseshoe Beverage Company, based in Neenah, WI, is a leading ready-to-drink beverage manufacturer dedicated to delivering an exceptional beverage experience. By combining industry-leading talent, cutting-edge equipment, and a vertically integrated supply chain, we drive innovation and consistently deliver the highest quality products to our customers--first and fast.

Our brand portfolio includes Victor Allen's®, Dutch Bros® beverages and Nurri™, our better-for-you protein beverage line. We are passionate about beverages - and about building a team that's just as energized. We invite you to explore opportunities at Trilliant or Horseshoe, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings.

Our Core Values:

Diversity and Inclusion at Trilliant and Horseshoe:
We believe talented, great people are the building blocks of our success. We believe in finding the right people, with the right attitude, and providing them with opportunities to excel.

Position Overview: Product Development Scientist / Sr Scientist
We are seeking a Product Development Scientist/ Sr Scientist with a passion for innovation and a strong technical foundation in food and beverage formulation. This role is responsible for leading product development initiatives from concept through commercialization, with a focus on functional beverages, energy drinks, and powdered formulations. The ideal candidate is a proactive, independent thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset and a "go-getter" attitude who thrives in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

You will be responsible for developing new products, improving existing formulations, managing R&D projects, and supporting scale-up and production integration. This includes hands-on formulation work, technical problem-solving, and collaboration with internal teams and external partners.

Key Responsibilities
Lead the formulation and development of products within one or more of the following categories, based on expertise:
· Functional beverages
· Energy drinks
· Dairy-based beverages
· Powdered formulations
We are seeking candidates with deep experience in at least one of these areas. The role will be tailored to leverage your specific strengths while contributing to a broader innovation pipeline.
Serve as the product owner for internal and customer-focused R&D initiatives.
Design and execute research initiatives to optimize product quality, functionality, and processing.
Conduct hypothesis-driven research and DOE (Design of Experiments) to solve formulation and processing challenges.
Manage multiple R&D projects simultaneously, ensuring timely execution and cross-functional alignment.
Develop prototypes and conduct shelf-life evaluations, sensory testing, and product optimization.
Support scale-up activities including benchtop prototyping, pilot plant trials, and full production runs.
Create and maintain product documentation including specifications, manufacturing instructions, and regulatory information.
Collaborate with sales, marketing, and operations to ensure product success and customer satisfaction.
Investigate and resolve technical issues related to formulation, processing, or product performance.
Stay current on industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies in food and beverage development.

Qualifications
Advanced degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
2- 4 years of hands-on experience in product development, preferably in beverages, energy drinks, functional foods, or powdered formulations for Scientist role.
6 - 8 years of hands-on experience in product development, preferably in beverages, energy drinks, functional foods, or powdered formulations for Sr Scientist role.
Strong understanding of ingredient functionality, nutrition, flavor chemistry, and thermal/aseptic processing.
Experience with sensory testing, shelf-life studies, and consumer insights is a plus.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative in driving projects forward.
Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
Excellent project management skills and ability to adapt to changing priorities.
Strong communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts to cross-functional teams and customers.
Proficiency in data analysis, statistical tools, and technical documentation.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and operate pilot plant equipment as needed.
Commitment to safety, GMP, HACCP, and regulatory compliance.

Hours, Location and Pay:
We offer a competitive-based pay rate and comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees. This role works Monday - Friday regular business hours but may be expected to work off hours as needed to support the business. This role works primarily out of our Little Chute, WI manufacturing facility, but may also travel to our Neenah, WI facility.

Physical and Mental Demands:
· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, hear, use hands to type data, use a personal computer and telephone. This employee may occasionally have to operate business machines and lift and/move up to 50 pounds.
· Specific vision abilities required in this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· Mental demands include multi-tasking, decision making, problem solving, comparing, copying, computing, compiling, analyzing, coordinating, and synthesizing data.
· Potential for exposure to chemicals, heights, loud noises, mechanical equipment, wet environments, and other potential hazards exists.

Safety Statement:
At Trilliant and Horseshoe, safety is every employee's first responsibility. We expect all employees to adhere to all safety practices, have the moral courage to stop other individuals from performing unsafe acts, and immediately report unsafe conditions.

Disclosures:
· The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
· Responsible for following food safety/regulatory policies and procedures, executing responsibilities as identified in standard operating procedures, and reporting food safety/regulatory concerns to the Production or Quality Manager.
· Trilliant Food & Nutrition and Horseshoe Beverage Company are Drug Free Workplaces. All applicants are subject to a drug screen and background check as a condition of employment.
· Trilliant Food and Nutrition and Horseshoe Beverage participate in the E-Verify process.
· EEO/AA including Vets and Disabled
· If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at HR@trilliantfood.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
· Trilliant Food and Nutrition and Horseshoe Beverage are Equal Opportunity Employers.
· The principles of the OECD and UN have been taken into consideration and used as guidance in our human rights practices and procedures.