Position Summary:
A leading food and beverage manufacturing company is seeking an experienced Certified Flavor Chemist to join its R&D team. This role is responsible for developing and optimizing flavor compounds and blends that meet evolving customer needs and market demands. The ideal candidate will work closely with cross-functional departments, ensuring that flavor formulations meet quality, regulatory, and sensory expectations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and formulate new flavor profiles for food and beverage applications based on customer specifications and market trends.
- Conduct sensory testing and product evaluations using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
- Collaborate directly with customers to finalize projects and tailor flavor solutions.
- Stay current on industry trends, consumer insights, and emerging technologies to drive innovation in flavor development.
- Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure all flavor formulations meet quality and regulatory standards.
- Maintain detailed documentation of formulations, test results, and project findings.
- Support cross-functional teams (R&D, Marketing, Production) during product development and product launches.
- Troubleshoot flavor-related challenges in development and manufacturing, and propose solutions for improved stability and performance.
- Provide technical support and internal training on flavor trends, technologies, and applications.
- Liaise with suppliers and vendors to source high-quality ingredients and explore new raw materials.
- Ensure all work adheres to applicable food safety, labeling, and allergen regulations.
- Mentor and train Flavor Apprentices preparing for certification exams.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related field.
- Minimum 7 years of hands-on flavor development experience.
- Certified member of the Society of Flavor Chemists required.
- Experience with the creation and scale-up of reaction flavors.
- Strong understanding of flavor ingredient labeling and regulatory compliance.
- Skilled in conducting pilot plant trials and scale-up testing.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to adapt to new software systems.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- High attention to detail and commitment to maintaining a clean, efficient lab environment.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting.