Jobs › Conagra Brands

Meat Scientist

Conagra Brands · Chicago, IL · $64,000–$95,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you had several projects due at once. How did you prioritize and keep good records?

What they are checking: Whether they stay organized and keep accurate documentation, which product specs and audits depend on.

What would you do

A product that worked in the pilot plant has a texture problem during the first plant trial. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can troubleshoot scale-up issues methodically under real production pressure.

How do you take a consumer trend or demand space and turn it into a meat snack concept?

What they are checking: Whether they can connect consumer curiosity to realistic product ideas that fit premium brands.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd develop a new meat snack, like a jerky or meat stick, from concept to commercialization.

What they are checking: Whether they understand the full path from bench prototype to plant scale-up for meat snacks.

What factors control water activity and shelf stability in a dried meat snack, and how do you test for them?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the food safety science that keeps shelf-stable meat products safe.

How do protein functionality, fat level and cure ingredients affect texture and bind in a meat stick?

What they are checking: Whether they have the core meat science knowledge to solve texture problems on their own.

How would you find ways to expand margin on an existing meat snack without hurting the eating experience?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that margin work through formula or process changes must still keep consumers happy.

How do you design an experiment so that the results will hold up in a technical review?

What they are checking: Whether they think about controls, variables and sample size rather than running one-off trials.

What USDA requirements do you keep in mind when developing a new meat product?

What they are checking: Whether they know regulatory limits on ingredients, labeling and processing for meat products.

How do you run a product cutting so that the team gets useful feedback rather than just opinions?

What they are checking: Whether they can structure tasting sessions to produce decisions that move a project forward.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Conagra Brands.

Reporting to the Research and Development Director, you will utilize your meat science expertise to support innovation and margin expansion across our premium meat snacks brands Fatty and Duke’s. With a curiosity for consumer demand and food trends, you will work in our Innovation Tech Center in downtown Chicago to create innovations that are an asset to Conagra’s snacking portfolio. A Taste of Your Responsibilities • Develop new meat snack products from concept through successful commercialization. • Conduct plant trials and support new product startups. • Plan, prioritize, and complete projects while maintaining accurate and complete records. • Work with pilot plant equipment under guidance. • Conceptualize and develop innovative product prototypes. • Utilize online specification systems to document and manage product information. • Design experiments and prepare results for technical review. • Understand consumer demand spaces and translate insights into new product concepts. • Lead product cuttings, plant trials, and product testing activities. • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment, including cleaning equipment, utensils, and work surfaces. • Collaborate with cross-functional partners to ensure successful product development and commercialization. Ingredients Required for Your Success • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Animal Science, or a related field. • 3+ years of relevant food product development experience specifically with meat products. • Experience developing meat-based food products. • Knowledge of ingredient functionality and cost savings initiatives. • Curiosity for consumer trends, innovation, and the consumer packaged goods industry. • Knowledge of food product design, formulation, process design, scale-up, plant testing, and commercialization. • Strong organization, project management, and communication skills. • Experience working in laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing environments. Physical Requirements More information about essential tasks and the facility will be shared during the hiring process. This role may require you to be in our manufacturing facilities. When visiting these sites, the physical requirements below may apply: You may be required to walk around the facility, climb stairs/ladders, kneel, or perform repetitive tasks that require hand-eye coordination. You may be required to lift or carry materials that can vary in weight and size. This is a manufacturing environment with large, moving equipment. Noise levels can be high, and temperatures may vary. Number of Days in Office: 4 #LI-Hybrid #LI-Associate #LI-MH1 Compensation Pay Range:$64,000-$95,000 The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees. Our Benefits We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role: • Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement • Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan • Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement • Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities Our Company At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®. Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome. Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.

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