Product Development Manager Food Scientist Jobs

The Food Scientist will support the development and optimization of grain-based food products and ingredient solutions, with a strong emphasis on baking applications. You will conduct laboratory, pilot plant, and bakery trials; analyze results; and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, customer-relevant solutions. This role is ideal for a scientist with a strong technical foundation in food science or baking science who enjoys hands-on experimentation, problem-solving, and continuous learning.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Grain Science, Baking Science, Cereal Chemistry, or a related technical discipline required.
• Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• 2-5 years of experience in food product development, baking science, ingredient applications, or related R&D roles.
• Experience with bakery products, ingredient functionality, or food manufacturing preferred.
• Knowledge of flour functionality, dough systems, and baking processes preferred.
• Experience conducting laboratory and pilot-scale testing.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across technical and business functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing bread, buns, rolls, tortillas, pizza crusts, sweet baked goods, snacks, or related grain-based products.
• Familiarity with commercial food manufacturing environments.
• Experience with experimental design and data analysis.
• Passion for baking science and product innovation.

Location & Work Environment

• Full-time position based in Denver, Colorado.
• This role is onsite and requires five (5) days per week in the office, laboratory, pilot plant, and bakery environments.
• Occasional travel (up to 10-15%) for plant trials, supplier visits, and industry events.

Physical & Product Handling Requirements

• Ability to work safely in laboratory, pilot plant, bakery, and manufacturing environments.
• Lifting/Carrying: Capable of carrying items up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to regularly handle, evaluate, and consume products containing wheat and other grain-based ingredients.
• Ability to work with and around all major food allergens, including wheat, milk, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, and shellfish.
• Ability to participate in food tasting and sensory evaluations as part of product development activities.

This role is based at the Ardent Mills Innovation Center (AMIC), located within our Denver, Colorado headquarters. Due to the nature of the position and the collaborative, hands-on work performed, regular on-site presence is required to perform the essential functions of the role.

Location:

Denver CO

Address:

1875 Lawrence Street, Denver CO, 80202

Additional Locations (if applicable):

Employment Type:

Full time

Additional Information:

Competitive Compensation:

We provide market-driven base pay, based on skills, abilities, and level of experiences. Our salary ranges are broad, and individual salary will be market competitive based on a candidate's unique set of skills and level of experience. The starting range for this position is $64,900.00 - $75,000.00, with additional earning potential possible commensurate with experience. Additionally, we believe that our team members are the reason for our success and all team members are incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and individual results achieved. While the specific bonus plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions, the targeted bonus plan and targeted percentage amount for this role is Bonus - MIP, 5% Annual.

Benefits:

At Ardent Mills we offer a wide range of benefits to our team members and their eligible family members. Some of our great benefit programs you may be eligible for include: Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage Health and Dependent Savings Accounts Life and Disability Programs Voluntary Benefit Programs Company Sponsored Wellness Programs Retirement Savings with Company Match Team Member and Family Assistance Program (EAP) Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays Employee Recognition Program with Rewards (RAVE).

Application Deadline:

10/05/202610/05/2026

EEO Commitment:

At Ardent Mills, everyone matters and everyone has a voice. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and team members and the decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic protected by law or not. Together, celebrating our differences, we make Ardent Mills. The preceding position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this position. The description, duties, functions, and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of Ardent Mills.En Ardent Mills, todos importan y todos tienen voz. Estamos comprometidos a brindar un ambiente de respeto mutuo donde haya igualdad de oportunidades disponibles para todos los solicitantes y miembros del equipo y las decisiones se basaran en el merito, la competencia, el desempeno y las necesidades comerciales. Estamos orgullosos de ser un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. No discriminamos por motivos de raza, color, religion, credo, origen nacional, ascendencia, estado civil, sexo, orientacion sexual, identidad o expresion de genero, discapacidad fisica o mental, embarazo, informacion genetica, condicion de veterano, edad, politica. afiliacion, o cualquier otra caracteristica no meritoria protegida por ley o no. Juntos, celebrando nuestras diferencias, formamos Ardent Mills. La descripcion del puesto anterior ha sido disenada para indicar la naturaleza general y los deberes y responsabilidades esenciales del trabajo realizado por los empleados dentro de este puesto. Es posible que no contenga un inventario completo de todos los deberes, responsabilidades y calificaciones requeridas de los empleados en este puesto. La descripcion, los deberes, las funciones y las responsabilidades estan sujetos a cambios a discrecion de Ardent Mills.

Role Designation

This role is based at the Ardent Mills Innovation Center (AMIC), located within our Denver, Colorado headquarters. Due to the nature of the position and the collaborative, hands-on work performed, regular on-site presence is required to perform the essential functions of the role.

Recruitment Fraud Disclaimer: