Food Scientist, Research and Development I

Hy-Vee, Inc.•West Des Moines, IA

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
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.
Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with Procurement, Operations, Quality Assurance, and Labeling teams.
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience in scaling from bench top samples to commercialization, preferred.
Knowledge of FDA and USDA regulations, food labeling, and food safety standards helpful.

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.
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.