🚀 Sr Scientist, US & Seasonal

Hiring now — limited positions available!

Ferrara

💰 Earn $125.000 – $150.000 / year
  • 📍 Location: Chicago
  • đź“… Posted: Oct 28, 2025

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Join to apply for the Sr Scientist, US & Seasonal role at Ferrara

Work Location: Chicago

Work Location: Chicago
Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.
Want to make an impact?
We are looking for someone that is technically curious, self-motivated, and driven to deliver innovative results. This individual will have primary responsibility for undertaking and executing product development projects of major importance, complexity, or scope pertaining to US & Seasonal Brands for the Ferrara Candy Company. This individual will have a direct impact on Ferrara’s Innovation Pipeline through leading key strategic initiatives to develop and commercialize new product development projects.
Ways you will make a difference

  • Independently leads innovation, renovation or brand maintenance projects with moderate to high complexity, owning the technical development plan and communication with relevant stakeholders, from initial concept development to scale-up to commercialization.
  • Manages multiple priorities at a given time by engaging with Manager to effectively communicate risks and tradeoffs.
  • Possesses a strong understanding of the innovation process and is able to apply effectively to drive projects forward in the commercialization process with executional excellence and on-time delivery of milestones
  • Applies technical problem solving for challenges of medium to high complexity to effective manage risks and provide contingency plans to achieve success
  • Develops new product formulas of a moderate to high complexity on a bench scale and effectively scales up to pilot plant and industrial plant scale to provide technical validation
  • Collaborates with Operations, Quality, Industrial Design, and Process Engineering staff to problem solve and suggest innovative solutions.
  • Consistently utilizes technically sound methodology and problem-solving tools to design experiments and test new ideas.
  • Observes, evaluates, and concisely and accurately documents experimental data and results leading to robust technical recommendations as well as risk identification.
  • Provides strong cross-functional partnership with Marketing, Consumer Insights, Industrial Design, Process Engineering, Project Management, Quality, Food Safety, and Procurement teams to ensure an efficient and successful project execution.
  • Effectively communicates project status updates directly with key stakeholders and cross-functional partners with project reports and product showcases.
  • Spends majority of time on-site in Ferrara’s Innovation Lab and pilot plant (60-100% of the time).
  • Travels, both domestically and internationally (up to 25% of job).
  • Ensures adherence to all company policies and procedures.
  • Understands and demonstrates the Company’s core values.
Skills that will make you successful
  • Product development capability, with proven track record of delivering results across all phases of product development project cycle from concept development to commercial industrial execution
  • Technology understanding in both ingredient technology and process technology in consumer packaged foods (ideally candy confections) and ability to apply to product development
  • Technical problem solving in applying knowledge of ingredient & process technology to novel problems to bring forward technically sound solutions that effectively manage risks
  • Experience in new product development innovation, including ability to translate innovation concepts into prototypes and then effectively scale-up for commercialization
  • Very strong interpersonal skills with ability to influence with integrity through persuasive communication to win support at more senior levels within R&D, Operations and Supply Chain, Marketing and to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Good technical, analytical, and communication skills; ability to interpret data and distil into useful and actionable information.
  • Self-starter, self-motivating: able to balance competing priorities without losing momentum and manage uncertainty and complexity in fast evolving CPG environments.
Experiences that will support your success
  • BS, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Food Science, or related field, required.
  • 5+ years experience in food industry or related field. (preferably candy confections)
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills (bilingual if possible: Spanish preferred)
  • Strong mathematical skills
  • Strong computer skills – including Microsoft Office (Word), Spreadsheets, and SAP
What We Offer
At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at The salary range for this role is $80,300 - $112,500.

Seniority level

  • Seniority level

    Mid-Senior level

Employment type

  • Employment type

    Temporary

Job function

  • Job function

    Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
  • Industries

    Manufacturing

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