Sr. R&D Food Scientist IV - Dairy

JonnyPopsPlymouth, MN

$120,000 - $140,000 / year

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Job Description

Who We AreAt JonnyPops, our team is empowered to make an impact at work every day from producing high-quality, innovative frozen novelties to spreading kindness one pop at a time. We look for bright and ambitious individuals who seek out challenges, thrive in fast-paced and high-growth environments, align with our core values, and get fulfilment from seeing their work transform the world around them. Based in Elk River, MN, JonnyPops develops, manufactures, distributes, and markets frozen novelties. Retailers from coast to coast including Target, Costco, Publix, Kroger, Cub, along with thousands of regional and local grocers make JonnyPops part of their assortment. Growing from a dorm room start-up in 2012, JonnyPops mission is to make "A Better Pop for a Better World!" JonnyPops leads the frozen novelties space in innovation and uses simple ingredients with no artificial dyes. Every pop stick includes a kind deed, spreading kindness every day. Joining JonnyPops is an exciting opportunity to be part of high-growth brand and have a direct impact on the company’s success. Join our team and help us make “A Better Pop, for a Better World!”We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Research & Development Scientist with extensive dairy product experience to join our team. This role is responsible for leading the development of new frozen novelty products with a focus on dairy systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical foundation in dairy chemistry, formulation science, and frozen product processing.Job SummaryWe are seeking a highly skilled Senior Research & Development Scientist with extensive dairy product experience to join our team. This role is responsible for leading the development of new frozen novelty products with a focus on dairy systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical foundation in dairy chemistry, formulation science, and frozen product processing. This role works closely with the Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain teams and assists in ensure all R&D activities are represented in Food Safety Programs that are defined, executed and meet regulatory guidelines.Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Lead formulation and product development for dairy frozen novelties, translating consumer and business objectives into robust, scalable product formulations that meet cost, quality, and sensory targets.
Design, optimize, and validate complex dairy formulations, including management of fat, protein, sugar, stabilizer, and emulsifier systems to achieve desired texture, stability, and sensory performance.
Drive benchtop innovation and prototype iteration, utilizing advanced knowledge of dairy chemistry, frozen structure dynamics, and ingredient functionality
Ensure seamless technology transfer from lab to plant, leading pilot and full-scale production trials to validate formulations, optimize processes, and resolve formulation-to-processing challenges.
Serve as the on-site R&D technical lead during commercialization, troubleshooting process deviations, ingredient variability, and texture or overrun issues to ensure consistent product quality at scale.
Apply deep understanding of sensory science and flavor development to guide product design, conduct structured sensory evaluations, and interpret results to inform data-driven product refinements.
Provide comprehensive technical documentation including formulation sheets, processing parameters, and scale-up guidelines to ensure manufacturing adherence to R&D intent.
Build and maintain strong technical partnerships with ingredient suppliers, evaluating new dairy components, flavor systems, and process aids for innovation and differentiation.
Monitor production performance to confirm process control, product consistency, and compliance with R&D-developed specifications, collaborating with Quality to address deviations.
Stay at the forefront of dairy science and frozen product technology, monitoring advancements in ingredient functionality, processing techniques, and clean-label formulation strategies, and translating these insights into actionable innovation opportunities.
Plan and execute laboratory experiments, applying scientific problem-solving to enhance product quality and profitability
Conduct post-trial analyses and apply scientific principles to improve formulations and processes
Perform risk assessments, troubleshoot technical issues, and implement solutions to improve quality, efficiency, and/or product performance
Manage multiple projects at once with minimal supervisor guidance using clear communication, prioritization, and multitasking skills
Monitor domestic and global trends related to flavors and ingredients for frozen treats

Food Safety Responsibilities

Integrate food safety principles into every stage of product development — from concept to commercialization.
Work closely with QA, Regulatory, and Operations teams to ensure food safety compliance.
Ensure all R&D data and experimental results are properly recorded and traceable.
Identify and implement innovative food safety technologies
Adhere to GMPs as is required of all JP personnel

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Food Engineering, or a related field
5+ years of R&D experience in the dairy or frozen novelty industry (mandatory).
Proven track record in ice cream or frozen dessert formulation, processing, and commercialization.
Strong understanding of dairy chemistry, emulsions, fat crystallization, overrun control, and texture optimization.
Experience with pilot-scale and full-scale processing equipment (freezers, homogenizers, pasteurizers, etc.).
Familiarity with ingredient functionality, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and sweetener systems.
Proficient in using Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Able to perform basic mathematical calculations and analyses.
Ability to interpret lab results.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Physical DemandsPhysical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, sit, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; talk and hear, and reach with hands or arms. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 30 lbs. Works comfortably in a variable temperature environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in regular office conditions, a laboratory environment, production, inside a cooler or in a warehouse. This employee will be expected to work out of our Plymouth R&D center and also our Elk River production facility.Additional Requirements

Naturally curious, with an appreciation for ambiguity and the ability to embrace the “test and learn” mentality in pursuit of continuous improvement.
Alignment to our mission to spread kindness – JonnyPops is a kindness-based company
Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.

Expected Pay Range: $120000-140000

JonnyPops offers a competitive benefits package which includes the following:

Medical/Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
HSA
FSA
DCFSA
Life & AD&D Insurance
Short & Long Term Disability
FTO/PTO
EAP Programs
Paid Holidays
Employee Referral Program
Sick & Safe Leave
401k
Company Sponsored Meal Plan

* Hired candidates may be eligible to receive additional compensation in the form of bonuses and/or commissions.

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