Ardent Mills
Overview
PRODUCT INNOVATION R&D: BAKED GOODS SENIOR FOOD SCIENTIST Ardent Mills is a premier flour-milling and ingredients company focused on innovative and nutritious grain-based solutions. The organization operates 35 community flour mills, three bakery-mix facilities and a specialty bakery, with locations in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Ardent Mills employs over 100 certified millers and supports thousands of local jobs. Position Purpose
We are seeking a
Baked Goods Senior Food Scientist
responsible for research and development projects aimed at creating new ingredients and/or food applications or improving existing ones. The candidate should manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, work effectively in cross-functional teams, and also contribute individually. The role includes ensuring food safety compliance, enforcing regulations, and providing technical guidance. A successful candidate will demonstrate the following attributes: Deliver results in first-time situations by inspiring others and earning trust daily Serve others with understanding, respect, and care Operate with simplicity, clarity, and transparency Effectively drive change and manage multiple tasks to meet deadlines Learn and apply new technology and share knowledge with others Above all, activities should be carried out with reliability, integrity, compliance, safety, environmental responsibility, and efficiency. Key Responsibilities
Develop and advance a consumer-centric innovation pipeline by collaborating with cross-functional partners and leveraging resources from the broader R&D team and external experts Build insights from development learnings to accelerate product development timelines Lead multiple technically complex projects, including creating technical plans, timelines, risk assessments, and mitigation plans; challenge assumptions and explore opportunities Support customers and customer teams on-site or at facilities within North America Ensure completion of Product Technical Transfer documents, engaging Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and Marketing to ensure seamless manufacturing scale-up Structure work streams to ensure technical excellence and timely project delivery, including: Characterize ingredient functionality Apply design of experiments and statistical tools; analyze data and make recommendations Formula development Process development Plan all phases of product scale-up (bench, pilot, commercial) Sensory science studies (analytical and affective) Contingency planning Identify third-party facilities for pilot trials or co-manufacturing as needed Compile, analyze, and manage data; close projects with Product Technical Transfer documentation for handover to Operations and Quality Control Lead product development and innovation activities from bench to scale-up in the Baked Goods category Maintain accurate records of experiments and Lab Notebook entries Essential Skills and Experience
B.S. or M.S. in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related field; 7–10 years of industry experience Proven leadership with track record of delivering results Ability to challenge assumptions and identify opportunities 5+ years of product development experience Strong communication, strategic thinking, and organization skills Ability to manage multiple projects independently Business-facing mindset with a strong technical voice Understanding of business processes Experience in development and launch of baked goods (retail, foodservice, wholesale) including breads, gluten-free items, flatbreads, tortillas, sweet goods, cereal-based products, etc.; able to design formulations considering plant processing Product scale-up and commercialization experience Strong understanding of general sensory testing and its application to product development Experience owning responsibility for product launches (consumer, raw materials) Ability to partner with broader R&D, manufacturing plants, and external suppliers Nice to Have
Sensory: analytical (R&D/Operations) and affective (consumer) Statistics: Design of Experiments, Six Sigma Global experience in consumer packaged goods, ingredient suppliers, flavor & fragrance suppliers Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Travel: 10–25% Lifting/Carrying: capable of carrying items 10 lbs or more Ability to work at company facilities and third-party pilot plants, with potential visits to manufacturing facilities Location
Denver, CO Employment Type
Full time Compensation and Benefits
Competitive base salary; starting range for this position: $86,200.00 – $114,915.90 Bonus plan: target 10% annual (based on role and performance) Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, HSA, retirement savings with company match, paid time off, holidays, and more Application Deadline
12/12/2025 EEO Commitment
Ardent Mills is 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, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic protected by law. We value diversity and inclusion and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. Recruitment Fraud Disclaimer: Do not share sensitive information. Open opportunities are posted on ardentmillscareers.com.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
PRODUCT INNOVATION R&D: BAKED GOODS SENIOR FOOD SCIENTIST Ardent Mills is a premier flour-milling and ingredients company focused on innovative and nutritious grain-based solutions. The organization operates 35 community flour mills, three bakery-mix facilities and a specialty bakery, with locations in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Ardent Mills employs over 100 certified millers and supports thousands of local jobs. Position Purpose
We are seeking a
Baked Goods Senior Food Scientist
responsible for research and development projects aimed at creating new ingredients and/or food applications or improving existing ones. The candidate should manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, work effectively in cross-functional teams, and also contribute individually. The role includes ensuring food safety compliance, enforcing regulations, and providing technical guidance. A successful candidate will demonstrate the following attributes: Deliver results in first-time situations by inspiring others and earning trust daily Serve others with understanding, respect, and care Operate with simplicity, clarity, and transparency Effectively drive change and manage multiple tasks to meet deadlines Learn and apply new technology and share knowledge with others Above all, activities should be carried out with reliability, integrity, compliance, safety, environmental responsibility, and efficiency. Key Responsibilities
Develop and advance a consumer-centric innovation pipeline by collaborating with cross-functional partners and leveraging resources from the broader R&D team and external experts Build insights from development learnings to accelerate product development timelines Lead multiple technically complex projects, including creating technical plans, timelines, risk assessments, and mitigation plans; challenge assumptions and explore opportunities Support customers and customer teams on-site or at facilities within North America Ensure completion of Product Technical Transfer documents, engaging Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and Marketing to ensure seamless manufacturing scale-up Structure work streams to ensure technical excellence and timely project delivery, including: Characterize ingredient functionality Apply design of experiments and statistical tools; analyze data and make recommendations Formula development Process development Plan all phases of product scale-up (bench, pilot, commercial) Sensory science studies (analytical and affective) Contingency planning Identify third-party facilities for pilot trials or co-manufacturing as needed Compile, analyze, and manage data; close projects with Product Technical Transfer documentation for handover to Operations and Quality Control Lead product development and innovation activities from bench to scale-up in the Baked Goods category Maintain accurate records of experiments and Lab Notebook entries Essential Skills and Experience
B.S. or M.S. in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related field; 7–10 years of industry experience Proven leadership with track record of delivering results Ability to challenge assumptions and identify opportunities 5+ years of product development experience Strong communication, strategic thinking, and organization skills Ability to manage multiple projects independently Business-facing mindset with a strong technical voice Understanding of business processes Experience in development and launch of baked goods (retail, foodservice, wholesale) including breads, gluten-free items, flatbreads, tortillas, sweet goods, cereal-based products, etc.; able to design formulations considering plant processing Product scale-up and commercialization experience Strong understanding of general sensory testing and its application to product development Experience owning responsibility for product launches (consumer, raw materials) Ability to partner with broader R&D, manufacturing plants, and external suppliers Nice to Have
Sensory: analytical (R&D/Operations) and affective (consumer) Statistics: Design of Experiments, Six Sigma Global experience in consumer packaged goods, ingredient suppliers, flavor & fragrance suppliers Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Travel: 10–25% Lifting/Carrying: capable of carrying items 10 lbs or more Ability to work at company facilities and third-party pilot plants, with potential visits to manufacturing facilities Location
Denver, CO Employment Type
Full time Compensation and Benefits
Competitive base salary; starting range for this position: $86,200.00 – $114,915.90 Bonus plan: target 10% annual (based on role and performance) Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, HSA, retirement savings with company match, paid time off, holidays, and more Application Deadline
12/12/2025 EEO Commitment
Ardent Mills is 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, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic protected by law. We value diversity and inclusion and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. Recruitment Fraud Disclaimer: Do not share sensitive information. Open opportunities are posted on ardentmillscareers.com.
#J-18808-Ljbffr