Associate Food Scientist – Conagra
Conagra Brands is seeking an Associate Food Scientist to join the Salty Snacks team within the Center for Food Design (CFD) in downtown Chicago. This Food Science Job is a hybrid role lets you turn bold snack innovations into real products while working in cutting-edge culinary labs, pilot plants, and creative open-office spaces. If youโre passionate about flavor development, product design, and hands-on experimentation, these R&D Jobs create opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the snacks consumers love.
Job Details:
- Position: Associate Food Scientist โ Salty Snacks
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Category: Research, Quality & Innovation
- Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (1โ4 days onsite)
- Job ID: Req-035440
- Travel: Up to 30% to manufacturing facilities
- Compensation: $59,000 โ $78,000 annually
About the Company:
Conagra Brands is one of North Americaโs leading packaged food companies, known for innovation, culinary creativity, and a diverse portfolio of iconic brands. At the Center for Food Design in Chicago, Conagraโs teams collaborate across culinary, R&D, and manufacturing to develop foods that shape everyday eating experiences. The company values creativity, quality, growth, and cross-functional teamwork, making it an ideal workplace for aspiring food scientists.
Educational Requirements:
- Bachelorโs degree in Food Science or related field required
- 1+ years of internship or work experience preferred
Key Responsibilities of the Food Scientist:
- Create new salty snack products from concept to commercialization
- Lead plant trials, product start-ups, and transition products from lab to production
- Present product cuttings and tastings to senior leadership
- Collaborate with packaging, processing, labeling, brand, finance, procurement & legal teams
- Conduct experiments, analyze results & maintain accurate documentation
- Work hands-on with bench and pilot plant equipment
- Support cost savings and business continuity initiatives
- Maintain a clean, safe, organized workspace
- Travel up to 30% for plant exposure and production support
Skills Required for the Food Scientist Role:
- This Food Science Job requires knowledge of ingredient functionality; seasoning application is a plus
- Experience with formulation, process design, product scale-up & plant testing
- Strong problem-solving and multitasking abilities
- Comfort working in manufacturing environments (noise, heat, cold, wet surfaces)
- Willingness to taste foods and work with allergens
- Strong documentation, communication & collaboration skills
- Proactive, self-starting approach to project management
How to Apply for Food Scientist Role?
Interested candidates for the R&D Jobs can apply directly through the Conagra Careers portal. Applicants may also sign up for job alerts to receive notifications about future R&D or food science openings.
