Research & Development Scientist I

$75,600 - $108,900/Yr

Mission Produce - Oxnard, CA

Full-time - Entry Level

Oxnard, CA

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

About the position

The Research & Development Scientist I at Mission Produce is responsible for assisting in the design, execution, data analysis, and formulation of solutions for various research and development projects related to avocados, mangos, and blueberries. This entry-level position involves managing product introductions, overseeing approvals, and coordinating with operations to ensure successful implementation of developed products and processes.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the design and execution of R&D projects including shelf-life extension and packaging optimization studies.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and technological innovations for avocados, mangos, and blueberries.
• Collaborate with internal departments to understand business demands and operations.
• Design trials and develop evaluation protocols to address research objectives.
• Analyze data to draw evidence-based conclusions and present findings to diverse audiences.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures for lab equipment.
• Coordinate with R&D teams to ensure standardized evaluation protocols are implemented.
• Work with the business development team to collect requirements for trials.
• Manage multiple project timelines and resources to execute deliverables.
• Verify and validate new products and processes, collaborating with internal teams throughout the development cycle.
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation and provide regular updates to the R&D team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Plant Pathology, Agronomy, or Horticulture preferred or 3-5 years of related professional experience.
• Solid organizational skills, including multi-tasking and time management.
• General knowledge of experimental design, statistics, and data analysis.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Knowledgeable in MS Office (PowerPoint and Excel).
• Previous quality control and/or lab experience preferred.
• Strong project management skills with a proven track record.

Nice-to-haves

• Previous experience in project coordination.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $75,600 - $108,900.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.