(Senior) Application Technologist - Sweet Goods & Beverages

dsm-firmenich; Köln; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

dsm-firmenich in Kerpen, Germany seeks a (Senior) Application Technologist to develop and execute application solutions for sweet goods and beverages. You will work with customers, account managers, flavourists, and cross-functional teams across Europe to translate briefs into prototypes and demonstrations, ensuring technical excellence and commercial alignment.

The role combines technical flavour expertise, creativity, and strong customer interaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum five years of experience in food and beverage application development within sweet goods and/or beverages, preferably in the flavours and ingredients industry.
• Strong understanding of flavour functionality, ingredient interactions, formulation principles and sensory evaluation.
• Proven ability to develop customer-focused application solutions, manage multiple projects and support technical commercialization activities.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills, combined with a collaborative, hands-on and solution-oriented mindset.
• Fluent in German and English, with willingness to travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute application solutions across sweet goods and beverage categories, translating customer needs into commercially relevant products while ensuring technical excellence and business impact.
• Create inspiring food and beverage concepts, prototypes and demonstrations that showcase dsm-firmenich capabilities and support customer engagement and business growth.
• Act as a trusted technical partner for customers by leading technical discussions, presentations, application workshops and product demonstrations.
• Lead application activities for customer projects, collaborating closely with Account Managers, Flavourists, Marketing, Regulatory and other stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery.
• Drive innovation by identifying market opportunities, developing differentiated solutions and maintaining expertise in category trends, consumer insights and emerging technologies.
• Ensure high standards of technical quality by conducting application evaluations, maintaining project documentation and complying with laboratory, quality and HSE requirements.

Skills

German language

English language

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science/Technology/Chemistry

Job description

(Senior) Application Technologist - Sweet Goods & Beverages (m/w/d)

Kerpen, Germany

Great taste starts with bold ideas. Exceptional flavours start with people who bring them to life.

At dsm-firmenich, you'll have the opportunity to bring flavours to life through inspiring food applications and customer-focused solutions. As a (Senior) Application Technologist (m/f/d), you will develop and execute application solutions across sweet goods and beverage categories, working closely with customers, account managers, flavourists, marketing and cross-functional technical teams across Europe.

This role combines technical application expertise, creativity and customer engagement. You will translate customer needs and project briefs into compelling concepts, prototypes and demonstrations, while ensuring technical excellence, industrial feasibility and alignment with commercial objectives.

Join a team where innovation is encouraged, expertise is valued and your work has a visible impact on customer success and business growth.

Your key responsibilities

• Develop and execute application solutions across sweet goods and beverage categories, translating customer needs into commercially relevant products while ensuring technical excellence and business impact.
• Create inspiring food and beverage concepts, prototypes and demonstrations that showcase dsm-firmenich capabilities and support customer engagement and business growth.
• Act as a trusted technical partner for customers by leading technical discussions, presentations, application workshops and product demonstrations.
• Lead application activities for customer projects, collaborating closely with Account Managers, Flavourists, Marketing, Regulatory and other stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery.
• Drive innovation by identifying market opportunities, developing differentiated solutions and maintaining expertise in category trends, consumer insights and emerging technologies.
• Ensure high standards of technical quality by conducting application evaluations, maintaining project documentation and complying with laboratory, quality and HSE requirements.

We offer

• The opportunity to create flavour experiences enjoyed by millions of consumers around the world.
• The backing of a global innovation leader, combining world-class science, creativity, and deep consumer understanding.
• Continuous professional development and international career opportunities that grow with your ambitions.
• A highly collaborative culture where diverse perspectives are valued and success is achieved together.
• The chance to work closely with customers, flavourists, and experts across the business to bring innovative ideas to market.

You bring

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum five years of experience in food and beverage application development within sweet goods and/or beverages, preferably in the flavours and ingredients industry.
• Strong understanding of flavour functionality, ingredient interactions, formulation principles and sensory evaluation.
• Proven ability to develop customer-focused application solutions, manage multiple projects and support technical commercialization activities.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills, combined with a collaborative, hands‑on and solution‑oriented mindset.
• Fluent in German and English, with willingness to travel as required.

About dsm-firmenich

At dsm-firmenich, we don’t just meet expectations – we go beyond them.

Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.

From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions – every single day. Whether it’s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that’s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.

And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They’re essential to our future.

Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.

Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement

At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.

And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.

Agency statement

We’re managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you’re applying as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.