Scientist, R&D

Job Title: Scientist, R&D

Reports To: R&D Manager

Department / Group: New Product Development - Retail

Position Type: Full-Time

Location: San Antonio, TX

Exemption Status: Yes

Pay / Salary Range: $ 70,000 - $80,000.00

Travel Required: Yes

Revision Status: July 2026

Date Created: July 2026

About Us:

Finlays Solutions is a leading partner to the B2B beverage manufacturing industry, recognized for its deep expertise, strong industry relationships, and commitment to innovation. The company plays a central role in supporting beverage brands, flavor houses, private label partners, and manufacturers through high-quality products, technical capabilities, and collaborative problem-solving. With a strong presence in the ready-to-drink beverage market, Finlays Solutions focuses on identifying emerging opportunities, expanding into new market spaces, and delivering solutions that meet evolving customer and consumer needs.

Finlays Solutions operates with a strong commitment to its mission, values, ethics, and long-term goals, ensuring that every initiative reflects the company’s dedication to integrity, partnership, and sustainable success.

Job Summary:

The R&D Scientist is responsible for bringing new extracts and concentrates from concept to commercialization, as well as supporting cost savings and product improvement projects. This role is hands-on, working collaboratively with cross-functional internal teams as well as interacting directly with customers to deliver innovative, scalable solutions

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate in the development of various beverage prototypes from concept to commercialization, effectively documenting all ingredients, formulations, and processing directions
• Conduct shelf-life stability trials to document changes in sensory and analytical properties that limit product shelf-life
• Work with outside applications to deliver and develop DOE of new processes and ingredient technologies
• Pass and complete sensory training to support coffee cuppings, administer differential testing and descriptive panels
• Key account management- representing Finlays as the primary R&D counterpart
  • Develop new innovative products and proactive formulations
  • Lab produced benchtop samples for consumer and customer tastings
  • ERP data system entry and formula approvals for product launches

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend continuing education workshops/conferences, as needed
• Travel as necessary to various Finlay facilities, customer locations, suppliers, co-manufacturers and trade shows
• Routine lab equipment calibration and maintenance as directed
• Interact directly with sales, marketing and customers as a subject matter expert in products and capabilities

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field with 2+ years of experience OR 5+ years of experience in a related science/field within the food industry.
• Intermediate computer skills utilizing Excel, MS Project, Word, PDF, Genesis
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMP, regulatory, and labelling laws
• Understand analytical parameters necessary for specification development and shelf-life analysis
• New product development and stage-gate product launch experience
• Ability to taste differences in products; good sense of smell and taste; good judge of color variations and willing/able to consume juice, coffee, tea, caffeine, and dairy products
• Work effectively independently as well as part of cross functional and multi-disciplinary teams
• Effectively communicate technical information to a non-technical audience (internal and external stakeholders)

Physical Demands

• Willingness to work additional hours, and tailor schedule appropriately, to support team goals and meet deadlines
• Must possess adequate vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills to meet essential job performance and safety standards
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and regularly perform physical tasks such as pushing, pulling, lifting, climbing, bending, stooping, squatting, and using hands for detailed tasks
• Work environment sometimes involves exposure to inclement weather
• Physically capable of performing tasks such as lifting, climbing, and using hand and power tools, including pallet jacks, scales, ladders, and standard material handling and cleaning equipment
• Capable of safely lifting up to 50 pounds frequently throughout the day; ability to handle heavier items with proper lifting equipment or team-assisted techniques to ensure safety

Work Environment

• Employees must be able to work in a dynamic manufacturing environment that may include exposure to odors, dust, moderate noise levels, and fluctuations in temperature and ventilation
• Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times, which may include but is not limited to: safety glasses, steel-toed shoes, gloves, hairnets, uniforms, and face shields, as required by specific job duties and safety protocols

Quality Statement:

• Our Quality and Food Safety Management strategy is anchored by our food safety and quality culture and a two-pronged approach to “be the best” as we produce “only the best”. Every employee has a role to play in this strategy as outlined by the following:
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s), allergen control, food defense, HACCP, SQF, and regulatory requirements so that we make consistently safe, quality products.
• Ensure the presence of visitors, contractors, and customers are documented on each visit in and out of the facility to maintain good manufacturing practices, allergen controls, food defense/food security and HACCP controls.
• Report all food safety and quality issues to management immediately.
• Partner with colleagues across all functions to share knowledge, skills, and information regarding quality and food safety.
• Adhere to all health and safety work practices.
• Exhibit an understanding of quality and food safety standards and be able to speak about the Finlays quality and food safety system and your role in it.
• Handle customer complaints in a timely and professional manner so that the customer is put first, always.
• Participate fully in Finlays programs that drive continuous improvement methodologies.

Any employee in doubt as to the role they play in the Finlays quality and food safety management system must reach out to the site Quality Manager or VP of Quality.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Finlays Solutions is an equal employment opportunity employer seeking diversity in qualified applicants for employment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, perceived disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status, as defined by applicable law. Finlays employs individuals that are 18 years of age or older.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.