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For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of nearly 9,000 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like Brach’s®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli® to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil. Additionally, Jelly Belly, known world-wide for its confections, was acquired in November of 2023.

Associate Food Scientist

Job Location: ​Chicago​

Chicago

Want to make an impact?

The Associate Food Scientist will be part of the Ferrara product R&D team supporting iconic brands like Trolli and Brach’s. The Associate Food Scientist will support new product development, existing product improvement, new ingredient qualifications, and product specification management. 
 

Ways you will make a difference

  • Leads product development for various product & process development projects including, but not limited to: new sugar confections, ingredient qualifications, line extensions, and network moves. 
  • Develop new product formulas from bench to pilot scale and into full scale execution.
  • Document key data from trials, productions, and lab activities. 
  • Observes, records, evaluates experimental data, and prepares project reports. 
  • Utilize problem-solving tools/statistics to establish process control limits and specifications.
  • Collaborate with R&D, Engineering, and Manufacturing staff in project execution, technology transfer, and problem solving. 
  • Actively participates in the Innovation process & supports building brands innovation pipelines.
  • Passion for creativity and innovation within a commercially driven environment.
  • Provides strong cross-functional partnership with Marketing, Project management team, Quality, Engineering, Procurement, and Operations teams, to ensure an efficient and successful project progress and execution.
  • Understands and demonstrates the Company’s core values. 
  • Performs other duties as assigned. 
  • Collaborate with the Manager weekly to ensure full alignment on project initiatives, plans, and next steps.

Skills that will make you successful

  • Internship in product development in the food industry
  • Knowledge of food science, food chemistry & ingredient functionality
  • Knowledge of the product development process 
  • Understanding/appreciation of the broader business environment and application of technical and commercial knowledge during project execution.
  • Enjoys working in results-oriented team environment.
  • Self-starter, self-motivating: able to balance competing priorities without losing momentum and manage uncertainty and complexity in fast evolving environments.
  • The ability to travel up to 25%, including some travel to Mexico. 
  • In person (home office, pilot plant, factory) 4-5 days per week, remote 0-1 days per week. Schedule is dictated by project work.    

 

Experiences that will support your success

  • B.S. or M.S. Food Science or related field required.

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 here.

Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

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