Senior Scientist, Product Development and Innovation

Fresh-Squeezed Legacy, Bold New Chapter

Tropicana Brands Group is a $3B startup aiming to revolutionize the beverage category. Formed in 2022 as a joint venture between PAI Partners and PepsiCo, our portfolio includes iconic brands like Tropicana, Naked, KeVita, Izze, Copella, and Punica. With over 76 years of global leadership in the orange juice category, we’re committed to preserving this legacy while driving innovation in other areas. From reimagining orange juice to creating functional smoothies and driving afternoon refreshments, we are striving to become the undisputed global leader in fresh and chilled beverages.

The Research & Development (R&D) team drives innovation, product development, and technological advancements across its juice and beverage portfolio. Focused on creating unique flavors, enhancing nutritional value, and improving formulations, the team ensures products meet evolving consumer preferences. They lead projects from concept to launch, ensuring efficient execution while aligning with business goals. Committed to sustainability, they develop innovative packaging solutions that are biodegradable, recyclable, and environmentally friendly. Additionally, they uphold rigorous nutritional science and regulatory standards, validating health claims and ensuring compliance. With a strong emphasis on food safety, quality, and process engineering, the team optimizes manufacturing systems to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and maintain product excellence. Collaborating closely with scientists, nutritionists, and engineers, Tropicana’s R&D team plays a crucial role in keeping products competitive, sustainable, and aligned with market demands.

Your Next Pour: The Opportunity

Tropicana Brands Group R&D is looking for a highly qualified Sr. Scientist to lead consumer-driven innovation and productivity projects for the KeVita and IZZE brands. The ideal candidate will be a critical thinker with exceptional communication, influencing and relationship management skills who thrives in a fast-paced environment.

At TBG R&D, we foster a safe space for entrepreneurial ideation, while also practicing radical candor and showing respect for what each R&D function brings to our organization. As a part of the nimble R&D team, you will be given opportunities to stretch, lead, and learn that many other larger organizations do not offer.

As part of an entrepreneurial culture, the ideal candidate will possess an ownership mindset and a focus on the consumer. Comfort with ambiguity, a focus on agility, and appropriate risk-taking is a must. Strong R&D and cross-functional collaboration and communication skills required. Successful candidates thrive in an environment of fast-paced, consumer-driven product development. If you are looking to act like an entrepreneur in a multibillion-dollar company with well-established and loved brands, TBG is the ideal place for you. Responsibilities include:

• Lead and execute innovation, quality/product improvement, and productivity initiatives


• Utilize scientific methods to develop knowledge that creates business opportunities that support the company strategic objectives


• Develop product formulations that leverage expertise in food or beverage chemistry and ingredient functionality


• Design and execute experiments, and analyze and interpret data to make sound technical recommendations on product and process issues


• Provide technical risk assessment and perspectives related to new product development


• Leverage external and internal experts for key analytical, sensory and consumer research


• Perform economic evaluations on ingredients, ingredients suppliers, and product formulations to drive profitability


• Participate as an active member of cross-functional business development teams comprised of individuals from a variety of disciplines, including Marketing, Purchasing, Engineering and other groups


• Develop and maintain complete product attribute specifications for ingredients and finished products


• Utilize innovative and critical thinking skills to design solutions to for organizational challenges.


• Tackle ambiguous problems to determine and prioritize business strategies.


• Utilize outstanding teamwork, collaboration, communication and leadership skills to deliver cross-functional projects on time and on budget

The Perfect Blend: Experience

• 5+ years of experience in product development, beverage experience a plus


• Proven ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects


• Strong working knowledge of product development protocols, including formulation, stability testing, product/package interaction, sensory and consumer testing methodology


• Ability and interest to work in laboratory, pilot plant and manufacturing scale environments


• Project management skills required for developing project timelines with multiple cross-functional touchpoints, including management of project budgets


• Ability to translate business objectives into strategic and tactical project goals and objectives


• Ability to work with lab and analytical equipment (pH meter, Brix meter, centrifuge, analytical balance, etc.)


• Proven track record in maintaining good working relationship with cross functional business partners (Marketing, Supply Chain, Sales, etc.)


• Ability to work effectively and manage risk in a fast-paced environment with ambiguity and change.


• Highly organized with great attention to detail and able to adapt quickly to changing priorities and unexpected requests.

Foundational Ingredients: Requirements

• B.S. in Food Science & Technology or related scientific field; advanced degree preferred


• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future


• Must be located in Chicago, IL surrounding area or willing to relocate for the duration of employment.


• Willingness to adapt and thrive in a blended work environment with 3-days in office, seamlessly transitioning between remote work and in-office operations


• Domestic travel up to 25%

Perks That Pack a Punch

TBG is pleased to offer you a comprehensive benefits package which includes a 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, company provided life, STD and LTD insurance. In addition, you may also elect to participate in voluntary life, accident, hospital, and critical illness coverages.

The salary range for this position is $71,000-$96,000 annually