Andrea Young
Minneapolis
Summary
Dynamic food scientist with over 11 years of experience in advancing fresh dairy product development through innovation, cost-savings initiatives, and cutting-edge technology. Passionate about addressing technical challenges and transforming ideas into actionable solutions through hands-on experimentation. Committed to continuous learning and professional growth while fostering the development of others in the field. A collaborative team player dedicated to driving excellence in product quality and innovation.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Principal Scientist: Chilled Dairy Technology Team
Lactalis USA (Midwest Yogurt)
06.2025 - Current
- Leading global teams in the internalization of a new processing technology to enable business growth.
- Qualifying new functional dairy ingredients and ensuring quality as designed.
Associate Principal Scientist: Fresh Dairy Technology Team
General Mills
11.2021 - 06.2025
- Identified solutions to the business’s most technically complex challenges by executing technical intensives, which involved forming focused teams with an experiment-based approach to learning.
- Embraced a digital first and data and analytics mindset to develop remarkable product solutions.
- Led the fresh dairy stabilizer and sugar reduction technology programs.
- Became subject matter expert on end-to-end yogurt processing with emphasis on formula and process interactions and ingredient functionality.
Senior Scientist: Dairy Applications R&D
General Mills
08.2018 - 11.2021
- Collaborated across geographies and teams to advance technologies and fill the cost-savings pipeline.
- Influenced the business to move to an immersion-based approach to identifying new cost savings opportunities, resulting in $7M+ in pipeline ideas.
Scientist II: Snacks Innovation R&D
General Mills
06.2016 - 08.2018
- Co-developed a shelf-stable GoodBelly branded probiotic bar and worked closely with labeling and legal to validate claims on pack.
- Developed and launched Nature Valley bars and was heavily involved in the install and start-up process ensuring product was manufactured as designed.
Scientist I: Dairy Innovation R&D
General Mills
06.2012 - 06.2016
- Commercialized Yoplait Greek 100 Whips, which was General Mills’ largest new product launch in 2015.
- Co-developed a patent for chickpea milk, leading to the development of chickpea “yogurt.” Successfully managed logistics and small-scale production for a three-store test that exceeded all metrics, the first in-market saleable experiment in yogurt.
- Challenged assumptions on business processes to gain 3+ months in development time.
R&D Intern
General Mills
05.2011 - 08.2011
- Developed formulations for a high protein Larabar snack bar, with the work being the foundation for the creation of a future digital tool.
Education
Master of Science - Food Science
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN05-2012
Bachelor of Science - Food Science
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN05-2010
Skills
- Chilled dairy formula and process expertise
- Technical leadership and problem-solving
- Resource management and building teams
- Fostering collaborative partnerships to drive innovation and achieve impactful results
- Mentoring and coaching
Certification
Technology Leadership Essentials Workshop
Technological Leadership Institute, University of Minnesota
Timeline
Associate Principal Scientist: Chilled Dairy Technology Team
Lactalis USA (Midwest Yogurt)
06.2025 - Current
Associate Principal Scientist: Fresh Dairy Technology Team
General Mills
11.2021 - 06.2025
Senior Scientist: Dairy Applications R&D
General Mills
08.2018 - 11.2021
Scientist II: Snacks Innovation R&D
General Mills
06.2016 - 08.2018
Scientist I: Dairy Innovation R&D
General Mills
06.2012 - 06.2016
R&D Intern
General Mills
05.2011 - 08.2011
Master of Science - Food Science
University of Minnesota
Bachelor of Science - Food Science
University of Minnesota
What I value
- Continuous learning and development
- Driving ideas to action through experimentation
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Technical problem-solving and IP creation
- Mentoring and coaching