Product Development Scientist

Grow with Welch's! Welch's is on a journey towards our bold ambition of being the global-leader of convenient, good for you fruit-based food and beverages. To turn this goal into a reality we need you and other exceptionally talented, agile, and innovative individuals who are eager to contribute to something extraordinary! At Welch's, we're not just offering a job; we're inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, authentic, and inclusive culture where you not only belong, but also have the opportunity to unleash the best, most authentic version of you. Position Summary We’re looking for a Product Development Scientist to support the development and commercialization of new products across our growing portfolio of beverages and fruit-based foods. This role sits at the intersection of front-end innovation and commercial execution and is ideal for someone who is comfortable in ambiguity and in the rigor of scale-up and commercialization. Where You’ll Work This role will be based out of our Waltham, MA headquarters where you will be immersed in a dynamic workplace where innovation thrives and collaboration is key. Our company in-office schedule is designed to maximize collaboration & relationship building balanced with flexibility and well-being with 3 days in office and Thursdays/Friday being remote, flex days. What You’ll Do Own and execute product innovation projects from concept through commercialization, ensuring consumer relevance, technical feasibility, and business viability Translate consumer insights into rapid prototypes and product mock-ups to influence project decision-making and direction Develop agile product development methods and systems to accelerate time to launch Tap into external partners (ie. vendors, suppliers) to accelerate prototyping and execution Leverage supplier relationships and AI tools to forecast trends, map white space, and assess competition Partner with Marketing and Consumer insights to develop consumer testing plans Communicate with external co-manufacturing partners ensuring timelines and qualification plans align across businesses Deliver work in support of business continuity, quality monitoring, productivity, and cost and product optimization initiatives Design and execute sensory testing to validate formula changes and ingredient swap outs Plan and execute bench-top, pilot plant, and plant trials documenting results and next steps Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Insights, QA, Operations, and Finance Create and review specifications throughout the NPD cycle for applicable projects (e.g. raw material, nutritional, formulation, manufacturing, and finished product specifications) Who You Are Brings both a passion for consumer co-creation and strong technical execution Builds strong working relationships with cross-functional partners Navigates ambiguity by turning ideas into actionable plans Hands on and resourceful, with a drive to quickly build, test, and iterate Balances speed and rigor, making thoughtful, timely decisions Adapts quickly based on new learnings and shifting priorities Takes ownership of outcomes and follows through on complex challenges Works relentlessly to anticipate obstacles and creates plans to overcome them Ability to imagine the future of consumer behavior and create solutions accordingly What You’ll Need 3-5 years of new product development experience with a proven track record of launching food and/or beverage products from concept through commercialization A Bachelor’s degree in food science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fields. Comfort guiding actions of external partners (suppliers, service vendors, co-manufacturers, labs) Strong communication skills and ability to translate technical information to non-technical audiences Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously Strong analytical skills and ability to translate data into decisions Basic knowledge of food safety, GMPs, regulatory requirements, and quality systems General knowledge of food & beverage processing and filling equipment Willingness to travel up to 15% based on project requirements Preferred Qualifications Experience in fruits and vegetables food and beverage Experience with rapid prototyping and agile innovation approaches Experience working with co-manufacturers and external production partners What You’ll Enjoy Organization with a bold, clear purpose & vision for the future Inclusive Culture: Be a part of an inclusive workplace where you not only belong but also have the opportunity to be the best version of yourself Passionate Community: You are encouraged to have a voice, share your opinions, and have individual impact on the success of the business Hybrid work model : Flexible & collaborative work environment to maximize well-being & success Paid Time Off and Holidays : Available immediately for you to enjoy time away from the office to rest and recharge Paid Volunteer Time Off : 40 hours of paid volunteer time for all non-union employees Development & Advancement : Access to LinkedIn Learning as well as both formal and informal opportunities to develop and grow your career Compensation Package Consisting of Competitive Base Salary and Annual Incentive Plan (Bonus) 401K plan with Generous Company Match Flexible Benefits from your first day : Choose the benefits that meet your needs and preferences Health, Dental & Vision Insurance Health Savings Accounts Life and accident insurance Employee Assistance Programs Tuition reimbursement program Additional benefits available through Perks at Work Paid parental (and adoption) leave – Available after 12 months of employment Welch's offers more than just a job – it's an opportunity to grow, innovate, and make a global impact with a passionate community. The anticipated hiring base salary range for this position is $85,000 to $95,000 annually for US-based employees. This range reflects the minimum and maximum for the position across all US locations, is based on a full-time work schedule, and is Welch’s good faith estimate as of the date of this posting. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for participation in a bonus plan. Welch's is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to the prevention of employment discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and/or military or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other action covered by federal or applicable state/local laws. Welch's offers more than just a job - it's an opportunity to grow, innovate, and make a global impact with a passionate community.