Louisa Bachman, Food Scientist at KIND, Inside Food Product Development | That’s a Food Job! Podcast #110

Louisa Bachman is a Food Scientist at KIND Snacks. KIND offers a range of products, including nut and fruit bars, breakfast bars, granola clusters, and refrigerated nut butter bars. Before joining KIND however, Louisa earned her Food Science degree at UMass Amherst, where she both led their school’s Food Science Club and Alpine Skiing club.  

In this episode of That’s a Food Job!, Louisa shares what it’s really like to work in product development, walking us through how a concept turns into a product on the shelf. She breaks down the role of flavor iteration, sensory testing, and shelf life studies, while also offering a behind-the-scenes look at one of her favorite projects—developing savory KIND bars. Throughout the conversation, Louisa reflects on how collaboration, curiosity, and strong communication play an essential role in getting new products to market.

We also talk about the skills that help food scientists succeed in the industry, how food trends shape innovation, and the importance of networking early in your career. Whether you’re a student exploring food science or someone interested in how the snack industry works, this episode provides valuable insight into a career in product development.

In this episode:

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Product Development at Kind
02:55 The Product Development Process
05:57 Challenges in Flavor Development
08:52 Day-to-Day Responsibilities of a Food Scientist
11:55 Skills for Success in Food Science
14:52 Navigating Trends in Food Products
17:54 The Importance of Communication in Food Science
21:01 Journey into Food Science
23:52 Networking and Building Relationships
26:58 Common Challenges in Product Development
29:53 The Future of Food Product Development
32:45 Rewards of Working at Kind
35:51 Advice for Aspiring Food Scientists

Recommended next episode

#94 – Michael Sharp, Director of Research and Analytics at the Heartland Food Products Group

Resources

• Loiusa Bachman: LinkedIn
• KIND: Website/LinkedIn/Instagram/

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