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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.

Sr Scientist, US & Seasonal

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

#LI-Hybrid

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we’re proud to support our employees by providing comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, dental insurance, a 401(k), and paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Candy-2025-OE-QR

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $80,300 - $112,500 annually.

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.

Nearest Major Market: Chicago