Food Scientist, Research and Development I

Additional Considerations (if any):

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At Hy-Vee our people are our strength. We promise “a helpful smile in every aisle” and those smiles can only come from a workforce that is fully engaged and committed to supporting our customers and each other.

Job Description:

Job Title: Food Scientist, Research and Development I                                

Location: Hy-Vee Training & Education Center    

FLSA: Hourly

Revision Date:  3/2026

General Function: 

The Food Scientist, Research and Development, supports the creation and commercialization of new retail food products for Hy‑Vee’s grocery, manufacturing, and in‑store production environments. This position assists in bench-top formulation, ingredient sourcing, product optimization, sensory testing, and packaging/labeling support. The role helps ensure new and existing products meet Hy‑Vee’s standards for quality, safety, regulatory compliance, and operational feasibility across stores and production facilities.

Reporting Relations:

Accountable and Reports to:  Technical Director, Compliance and Food Protection; Food Scientist, Research and Development Supervisor

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare bench‑top samples to support development of new retail food products and reformulation of existing items.

• Assist with ingredient screening, including assessing functionality, quality, and suitability for retail and manufacturing production.

• Support execution of production trials, including process verification, ingredient validation, label verification, and documentation of trial outcomes.

• Conduct internal sensory evaluations for new products, ingredients, and packaging.

• Assist with shelf‑life evaluations to ensure product quality, safety, and consistency.

• Maintain accurate R&D documentation, including formulas, procedures, yield data, and production notes.

• Support Procurement in qualifying new and secondary suppliers and ingredients.

•  Provide clear and timely progress updates at departmental and stakeholder meetings.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain R&D kitchen and lab areas to Hy‑Vee standards for cleanliness, safety, and organization.

• Assist with maintenance of ingredient records and R&D inventories.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities Required to Perform Job:

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of ingredient functionality, basic food science principles, and formulation.

• Understanding of FDA/USDA food labeling and food safety standards.

• Ability to evaluate product quality and conduct sensory analysis.

Administrative & Analytical Skills

• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and recordkeeping.

• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize multiple projects in a fast‑paced R&D environment.

• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion.

Collaboration & Communication

• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with Procurement, Operations, Quality Assurance, and Labeling teams.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science preferred in Culinary Food Science, Culinology, Food Science, or related field; or relevant certification/experience.

• Minimum 1-2 years experience in food product development.

• Experience in scaling from bench top samples to commercialization, preferred.

• Knowledge of FDA and USDA regulations, food labeling, and food safety standards helpful.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform light work, occasionally lifting up to 20 lbs.

• Visual requirements: near and far vision, depth perception, color vision, and field of vision (with or without correction).

• Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, grasp, talk, hear, and perform repetitive motions.

Working Conditions

• Duties mostly in an office or lab setting.

• Will be required to procure ingredients and supplies from Hy-Vee stores and/or warehouses.

Equipment Used

• Personal Computer, tablet, photocopier.

• Food preparation and production equipment in test environment, store environment, and manufacturing environments.

• Lab environment tools, testing equipment.

Are you ready to smile, apply today.  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre employment drug screen.