Job summary
Job post source
This job is directly from Universal Corporation
Job overview
The Senior Product Development Scientist at Universal Corporation focuses on developing innovative emulsion-based beverage prototypes to drive market growth within the plant-based ingredients sector.
Responsibilities and impact
The role involves rapid prototyping, collaborating with commercial and operations teams to scale products from pilot to full production, validating new products, supporting continuous improvement in emulsion chemistry, and traveling to support commercialization trials.
Compensation and benefits
The position offers competitive benefits including 401(k) match, merit increases, paid holidays, medical, dental, life, vision, and disability insurance.
Experience and skills
Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in food science or related fields, 3-7 years of emulsion product development experience, strong project management, communication skills, and knowledge of food industry regulations; aseptic processing and ERP experience are preferred.
Work environment and culture
The company values a positive, adaptable, detail-oriented team environment with emphasis on collaboration across multiple departments.
Company information
Universal Corporation is a leading global leaf tobacco supplier and plant-based ingredient processor with over 1,500 employees and $2.5 billion in revenue, operating globally with a focus on high-quality agricultural products.
Team overview
The candidate will join the Universal Ingredient Application Lab team in Lancaster, PA, working closely with cross-functional partners including Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Commercial, and Marketing teams.
Job location and travel
The job is located on-site in Lancaster, PA with a Monday-Friday schedule and some travel required to technical facilities and co-packers.
Unique job features
The role is distinguished by its focus on emulsion systems for beverage applications and involvement in both benchtop and commercial scale product development within a plant-based ingredient platform.
Company overview
Universal Corporation is a global leader in the leaf tobacco industry, specializing in the procurement, processing, and supply of tobacco to manufacturers of consumer tobacco products. The company generates revenue by sourcing tobacco from various regions, processing it to meet specific quality standards, and selling it to major cigarette and cigar manufacturers worldwide. Founded in 1918, Universal Corporation has a long history of adapting to market changes and regulatory environments, ensuring a steady supply chain and maintaining strong relationships with both suppliers and customers.
How to land this job
Tailor your resume to emphasize your experience in emulsion technology and product development within food and beverage applications, highlighting any work with tea, coffee, botanicals, or fruited beverage systems to align with Universal Corporation's focus.
Showcase your project management skills and ability to handle multiple fast-paced projects simultaneously, along with your collaborative experience working cross-functionally with commercial, operations, quality, regulatory, and marketing teams.
Apply through multiple channels including Universal Corporation's official career page, the Universal Global Ventures site if available, and LinkedIn to maximize your application visibility.
Connect on LinkedIn with current employees in Universal Corporation’s Research & Development or Ingredients divisions; initiate conversations by commenting on recent company innovations or asking about their experience developing emulsion-based beverage products as natural ice breakers.
Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description such as 'emulsion technology,' 'product development,' 'food science,' 'commercialization,' 'GMP,' and 'project management' to ensure your resume passes automated screening.
Leverage Jennie Johnson's Power Apply feature to automate tailoring your resume, identify the best application portals, and find relevant LinkedIn contacts to network with, allowing you to focus your energy on preparing for interviews and further skill development.
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