Title: Associate Food Scientist

Location: Richland, WA

Job Requisition ID: Req-260294

Time Type: Full time

About Lamb Weston

You’ve probably enjoyed our fries without even knowing it! As a leading manufacturer in our industry, and public Fortune 500 company, we inspire and bring people together with foods they love and trust. Our customer base includes international food service providers, restaurants, and households in over 100 countries around the world.

A highly innovative global corporation with a start-up mindset, we empower every individual to make a genuine difference. You’ll gain access to hands-on training to fuel your growth and success, explore opportunities for new solutions, and you’ll join a winning team of 10,000+ people all dedicated to raising the bar – together.

If you have a strong drive for results, a desire to help us bring the world together through our fries, and are ready for a fresh challenge, we want to hear from you.

Job Description Summary

Under limited supervision researches, conducts experiments, gathers data, develops preliminary findings and prepares new products with written reports for the development of new products projects beginning at conception through successful commercialization. Follows established protocols and work plans. Drafts for review technical proposals and reports.

Job Description

Pro-active self-starter, willing to accept responsibility for business tasks.

Plans, prioritizes and completes tasks effectively and efficiently.

Changes plans quickly according to business needs.

Learns and utilizes on-line specification system, ingredients, formulation, etc. to document and track products.

Executes experiments and prepares results for review.

Using consumer insights, conceptualizes and develops new product prototypes.

Formulates new products to match the ingredient statement, nutritional profile, cost and product attributes of the target product. Uses sensory tools to optimize product formulation internally and externally.

Presents new product ideas to cross functional team.

Develops and documents the process for the manufacture of the product.

Identifies and executes key product quality, stability, cooking parameter and safety testing protocols.

Executes on cost saving opportunities.

Properly documents activities, conclusions, and recommendations in lab notebook.

Develops project timelines that are acceptable to management, marketing, and Product Development manager. Works closely with project manager to create and maintain accurate timelines.

Develops finished product and processing specifications.

Conducts plant trials and new product startups.

Supports sales in new product presentation to customers.

Collaborates with Engineering/Packaging/Operations/QA and Marketing to meet project deadlines.

Other duties as assigned.

Basic & Preferred Qualifications

BS in Food Science or related field required. MS preferred.

1-2 years relevant work experience required, including deep knowledge and hands on experience with food chemistry, lab analysis, and execution of new product development.

Clear, concise written and verbal communication.

Proficient in Microsoft Office products.

Sporadic to frequent travel, including flying to all parts of the U.S., possibly overseas, and driving a company or rental vehicle 4 to 6 hours as needed. Must be able to travel independently and as a responsible Lamb Weston representative.

Industry-Competitive Benefits

Coupled with our compensation and bonus incentive programs, our benefits deliver rewards that are market competitive. Some of the most attractive elements of our benefit programs include:

Health Insurance Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision
Flexible Spending Accounts for Health and Dependent Care, and Health Reimbursement Accounts
Well-being programs including companywide events and a wellness incentive program
Paid Time Off
Financial Wellness – Industry leading 401(k) plan with generous company contributions, Financial Planning Services, Employee Stock purchase program, and Health Savings Accounts, Life and Accident insurance
Family-Friendly Employee events
Employee Assistance Program services – mental health and other concierge type services

Benefits may vary based on location, job role/level, job status, and/or the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Anticipated Close Date

The anticipated close date is a good faith estimate for when this job will be closed. Some jobs may be unposted or filled earlier or later than the Anticipated Close Date depending on interview processes and business needs.

Anticipated Close Date: 05/12/2026

Pay Transparency

In compliance with applicable state and local laws, Lamb Weston has opted to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. This compensation is specific to this position and takes into account a number of variables. Actual compensation may be higher or lower in the range posted based on various factors, including, but not limited to, job duties, experience and expertise. A candidate's work location could also impact the actual compensation being outside of the range to reflect local cost of labor. A reasonable annual estimate of the range for this role is listed below.

Pay Rate or Range: $57,430.00 - $86,140.00

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lamb Weston is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site