Food Scientist

Company & Culture: 

At GT’s Living Foods, we’re more than just a company – we’re a community passionate about creating a healthier, happier world. Over the last 30 years we’ve built a culture of inclusivity and authenticity, where our shared values create an environment that inspires you to do your best while achieving meaningful results. Our mission to transform health and happiness through potent, living foods has established us as the #1 Kombucha brand and a leader in the Health & Wellness space.

Requirements:

• Must be passionate about fermentation 
• 4-6 years of food science experience
• Bachelor degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related field 
• Experience in the Natural Food Industry

Job Description:

The Food Scientist is responsible for the development of new products from concept through commercialization, including formula development, product trials, process validation, and shelf-life, sensory, and stability testing. This role works closely with the CEO/Founder, R&D team, Supply Chain, Operations, Production, Quality, and other cross-functional teams to ensure successful product development, scale-up, and commercialization.

Essential Duties:

• Ability to work on microbiology & biochemistry research efforts in the areas of cultured probiotic yogurts (unpasteurized, coconut), and Beverage fermentation (Kombucha, Kefir, etc.), from lab to commercialization.
• Investigate and apply natural preservation techniques (e.g., bio-preservation, hurdle technologies, protective cultures).
• Design and execute experiments to extend the shelf life of fermented products without compromising safety, quality, or probiotic viability.
• Ability to conduct sensory analysis on products containing live/active cultures & botanicals which may or may not be GRAS certified
• Support validation of novel preservation methods under GRAS, organic, and clean-label constraints.
• Assist in the design and execution of shelf-life studies under various storage conditions.
• Work closely with QA to monitor microbial profiles, ensure compliance with food safety standards, and maintain documentation.
• Excellent document control, tracking, and laboratory report development.
• Create and optimize formulations for carbonated beverages, functional beverages, fermented beverages, juices, energy drinks, protein beverages, and other beverage categories.
• Select and evaluate ingredients, Natural flavors, sweeteners, acids, natural colors, and functional ingredients.
• Maintain and update the R&D innovation dashboard and stage-gate process, tracking formulation progress, testing, technical milestones, risks, and next steps; provide regular updates to the R&D Director to support retailer sell-in timelines and commercialization deadlines.
• Develop prototypes that meet target cost margins, nutritional, ingredient, and regulatory requirements.
• Investigate product failures and implement corrective actions.
• Partner with ingredient and raw material suppliers to identify, evaluate, and qualify new ingredients that meet product formulation, quality, regulatory, cost, and commercialization requirements.
• Lead technical engagement with suppliers, including requesting samples, reviewing ingredient functionality, coordinating trials, and resolving formulation or ingredient-related technical issues.
• Partner with Sourcing/Procurement to support RFQs and supplier evaluations by defining technical requirements, identifying acceptable ingredient alternatives, and providing technical input into supplier selection.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong understanding of microbial spoilage, lactic acid bacteria, and probiotic viability in refrigerated fermented products.
• Proficiency in design of experiments (DOE) and shelf-life modeling.
• Practical experience with microbial enumeration, pH measurement, titratable acidity, water activity, and organoleptic evaluation.
• Familiarity with natural and clean-label preservation systems (e.g., essential oils, protective cultures, bacteriocins).
• Self-starter with strong project management abilities, capable of leading R&D initiatives independently.
• Ability to work in accordance with safety and food safety policies.

GT’s Employee Experience (Benefits/Perks):

• Health Insurance: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 401K with Matching
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounts on the amazing GT’s product line (available for pickup at headquarters only)
• Corporate Discounts with our partners through LifeMart (concert & sporting event tickets, cell phone service, gifts, restaurants, hotels, childcare, and more!)

Job Details:

• Work Hours: Full Time (Vernon, CA) - Monday through Friday, business hours with some overtime 
• Work Attire: Use good judgment, keeping in mind the nature of their work, their safety and the safety of others.
• Pay Range: $90,000 to $115,000, bonus eligible

GT's Living Foods, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and maintaining an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.