Senior R&D Scientist – CPG Industry – Milwaukee, WI

Are you a passionate innovator with a strong scientific background and a drive to create cutting-edge products in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry? We are seeking a Senior R&D Scientist to join a dynamic CPG company in Milwaukee, WI. This is a unique opportunity to lead research and development initiatives, drive product innovation, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring new products to market. If you excel in scientific research, problem-solving, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, this role is for you.

Lead Innovation in the CPG Industry in Milwaukee

A leading Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) company in Milwaukee, WI is searching for a talented Senior R&D Scientist to spearhead product innovation and development. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in scientific research, product formulation, and process optimization. If you are passionate about creating consumer-centric products, driving R&D strategies, and collaborating with cross-departmental teams, this is your chance to make a significant impact in the CPG industry.

Key Responsibilities of the Senior R&D Scientist – Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)

The Senior R&D Scientist plays a crucial role in driving innovation, optimizing product formulations, and ensuring that new consumer packaged goods (CPG) meet market needs, regulatory standards, and company objectives. This position requires a deep understanding of food science, material chemistry, and emerging industry trends to develop breakthrough products that stand out in a competitive marketplace. Below is an expanded overview of the core responsibilities:

✅ Product Innovation & Development:

Lead the Development of New Products: Spearhead research and development projects to create innovative products tailored to evolving consumer demands and industry trends.
Prototype and Formulation Design: Develop, test, and refine product formulations to ensure optimal taste, texture, stability, and safety.
Market-Driven Innovation: Identify emerging market trends and consumer preferences to align R&D efforts with business objectives.
Ingredient & Material Selection: Evaluate and source new ingredients, ensuring compatibility with product functionality and cost-effectiveness.

✅ Scientific Research & Analysis:

Stay Ahead of Industry Trends: Conduct in-depth research on ingredients, emerging technologies, and scientific advancements in the CPG industry to enhance innovation efforts.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilize analytical tools, experimental design, and sensory evaluation techniques to improve product functionality and consumer appeal.
Ingredient and Material Analysis: Investigate the physical, chemical, and microbiological properties of raw materials and finished goods to optimize quality and stability.
Advanced Testing Methods: Implement cutting-edge laboratory techniques such as rheology, spectroscopy, and chromatography for product characterization.

✅ Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Marketing & Product Development Teams: Work closely with marketing teams to translate consumer insights into technical product solutions that drive brand growth.
Manufacturing & Quality Assurance (QA): Partner with production teams to ensure product formulations can be efficiently manufactured while maintaining consistency and quality.
Supply Chain & Procurement: Assist in sourcing high-quality raw materials, identifying cost-effective suppliers, and optimizing ingredient supply chains.
Regulatory Affairs: Collaborate with regulatory teams to ensure new products comply with national and international food safety and labeling regulations.

✅ Regulatory Compliance & Documentation:

FDA & Industry Compliance: Ensure all research and development activities adhere to regulatory standards, including FDA, USDA, FSMA, and international food safety guidelines.
Labeling & Claims Validation: Verify that product labeling, health claims, and marketing messages are scientifically accurate and legally compliant.
Patent & Intellectual Property (IP) Protection: Support the preparation of patent applications, ensuring proprietary formulations and technologies are legally protected.
Documentation & Record Keeping: Maintain meticulous records of experimental data, formulation trials, and ingredient specifications for auditing and compliance purposes.

✅ Process Optimization & Problem-Solving:

Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Identify and implement process improvements to enhance product quality, reduce manufacturing costs, and increase production efficiency.
Troubleshooting & Technical Support: Solve formulation challenges, optimize ingredient interactions, and address production issues to ensure consistent product performance.
Advanced Statistical Analysis: Use statistical modeling, DOE (Design of Experiments), and data analytics to validate product performance and optimize formulations.
Equipment & Process Development: Work with engineering teams to test new processing technologies and equipment that enhance product stability, shelf life, and cost-effectiveness.

What the Client is Looking for in You

As the Senior R&D Scientist – CPG Industry in Milwaukee, WI, the client is seeking an innovative and results-oriented professional with a strong scientific background and a passion for developing cutting-edge products. You should be a forward-thinking problem solver, capable of driving research initiatives and translating ideas into market-ready solutions within the fast-paced Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry.

Proven Expertise in R&D and Product Innovation

The client is looking for a skilled scientist with hands-on experience in research and development, particularly within the CPG sector. You should have a track record of formulating new products, improving existing ones, and ensuring they meet consumer expectations and regulatory standards. Expertise in ingredient functionality, product testing, and sensory evaluation is highly valued.

Strategic Thinker with a Research-Driven Approach

The ideal candidate will bring a strategic mindset to R&D, aligning scientific innovation with business goals. You should be able to identify emerging trends, conduct thorough market and competitor analyses, and leverage data to create innovative solutions that enhance product portfolios and drive competitive advantage.

Strong Technical and Analytical Skills

The client seeks a professional who is technically proficient in experimental design, statistical analysis, and laboratory methodologies. You should be comfortable with product formulation software, data modeling, and interpreting complex scientific data to make informed decisions and recommendations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Leadership

This role requires collaboration across multiple teams, including marketing, production, and quality assurance. The client values someone who can communicate scientific concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders, foster collaboration, and drive projects from ideation to commercialization. Leadership experience in managing lab teams or R&D projects is a plus.

Consumer-Centric Innovation

Understanding consumer preferences and behaviors is key. The client is looking for someone who can translate consumer insights into product innovations, ensuring that new formulations align with market demands while balancing functionality, taste, and cost-effectiveness.

Regulatory Knowledge and Compliance

A solid understanding of food safety regulations, labeling requirements, and quality control processes is essential. The client values candidates who can ensure all R&D efforts comply with industry regulations and company standards, mitigating risks and safeguarding product integrity.

Passion for Continuous Learning and Development

Finally, the client seeks an R&D scientist who stays ahead of scientific advancements, ingredient technologies, and industry trends. You should be proactive in pursuing new research opportunities, attending industry conferences, and fostering a culture of innovation and curiosity.

FAQs About the Role – Senior R&D Scientist – CPG Industry

1. What are the primary responsibilities of this role?

As a Senior R&D Scientist, your core responsibilities include leading product innovation efforts, conducting scientific research, ensuring regulatory compliance, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and improve products within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry. You will be expected to explore new ingredient technologies, enhance formulation techniques, and drive innovation by translating consumer trends into viable product solutions. Additionally, you will play a key role in troubleshooting product development challenges, optimizing production processes, and ensuring the highest standards of product quality and safety.

Your work will also involve analyzing market trends, developing prototypes, and working closely with marketing, manufacturing, and regulatory teams to ensure that new products align with company objectives and meet industry regulations. As an expert in your field, you will be responsible for staying up-to-date with emerging technologies and identifying ways to enhance the company’s R&D capabilities.

2. What qualifications are required for this position?

The ideal candidate should possess a Master’s or PhD in a relevant scientific field, such as:

Food Science
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Chemical Engineering
Microbiology
Material Science

Additionally, candidates should have at least 5 years of hands-on research and development experience in the CPG industry, specifically in food, beverage, personal care, or household product formulation.

Other key qualifications include:

Strong technical expertise in formulation science, product development, and process optimization.
Experience with regulatory compliance, such as FDA, USDA, or other global regulatory requirements depending on the market.
Analytical and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot formulation and stability challenges.
Excellent collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including marketing, supply chain, and regulatory affairs.
Proficiency in laboratory techniques, instrumentation, and experimental design.

3. What types of products will I work on?

As a Senior R&D Scientist in the CPG industry, you will work on a variety of consumer products based on the company’s specialization. These could include:

Food & Beverages: Snacks, dairy products, functional beverages, plant-based alternatives, and nutritional supplements.
Personal Care: Skincare, haircare, cosmetics, or hygiene products.
Household Products: Cleaning solutions, detergents, air fresheners, and sustainability-focused products.

Your role may involve researching new ingredients, developing alternative formulations, improving shelf-life stability, and ensuring that products meet both consumer preferences and regulatory standards. You’ll also explore emerging trends such as clean-label ingredients, plant-based solutions, and sustainable packaging innovations.

4. Is this a leadership role?

Yes! While this role requires hands-on scientific research and product development, it is also a leadership position where you will:

Mentor and guide junior scientists and research associates by providing training, sharing technical expertise, and overseeing laboratory experiments.
Lead R&D projects from concept to commercialization, ensuring product feasibility and aligning innovation efforts with company goals.
Collaborate with senior leadership, including executives and department heads, to shape the company’s product portfolio and innovation pipeline.
Drive strategic research initiatives by identifying new product opportunities and staying ahead of industry advancements.

This position offers the opportunity to influence major product launches, contribute to long-term business growth, and establish yourself as a thought leader within the CPG industry.

5. What is the company’s culture like?

The company fosters an innovative, collaborative, and research-driven culture where scientific exploration and teamwork are highly encouraged. You will be part of an organization that values:

Innovation: A commitment to pioneering new product solutions and embracing cutting-edge research.
Collaboration: A dynamic, cross-functional environment where R&D, marketing, operations, and regulatory teams work together seamlessly.
Continuous Learning: Opportunities for ongoing education, professional development, and industry networking.
Sustainability & Consumer-Centric Approaches: A focus on environmentally friendly practices and meeting evolving consumer needs.

What Remuneration Can You Expect from This Job?

The Senior R&D Scientist – CPG Industry role in Milwaukee, WI offers a competitive compensation package, including:

💼 Base Salary: $90,000 – $120,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.

🎯 Performance Bonuses: Additional incentives based on R&D milestones, product launches, and company performance.

📈 Benefits Package:

Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement plan with company match
Paid time off and holidays
Professional development and training programs

🌟 Career Advancement: Opportunities to grow into leadership roles and shape the company’s innovation pipeline.

How to Apply

If you are an innovative and results-driven professional with expertise in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry, we invite you to apply for the Senior R&D Scientist role in Milwaukee, WI. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team and lead cutting-edge research and development initiatives that drive product innovation and enhance consumer experiences in the CPG sector.

To apply, please submit your resume along with a cover letter that outlines your experience in R&D within the CPG industry. Highlight your skills in product development, market research, and cross-functional collaboration. We are looking for candidates with a strong background in developing and launching new products, optimizing existing formulations, and utilizing scientific methodologies to address industry challenges.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of high-impact products that resonate with consumers while working in a fast-paced and innovative environment. If you have a passion for scientific discovery and a drive to make a difference in the CPG industry, apply today to take the next step in your R&D career.

For more information or to explore similar opportunities, visit our CPG Careers Page.

Job Category: CPG Industry

Job Type: Full Time

Job Location: Milwaukee

Senior R&D Scientist – CPG Industry – Milwaukee, WI