Senior Culinary Designer: Flavor Innovation Lead

IFF Netherlands; Hilversum; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance

Annual bonus

LTIP

IKB

20+ vacation days

Commuting allowance

Pension

Job summary

IFF in Hilversum is seeking a Senior Culinary Designer to translate customer needs into practical, flavor-driven solutions. You will work hands-on in the lab with pilot-scale equipment, lead cross-functional projects, and help turning ideas into customer-ready products in soups, sauces, and condiments.

You’ll collaborate with Creative Centers, Application teams, Flavorists, Sales, Marketing, and R&D, mentor junior talent, and travel about 10–20% to engage with customers and partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field.
• 5–10 years in food/ingredient/flavor industry, with at least 5 years in savory/culinary.
• Experience developing and commercializing products (soups, sauces, condiments, bouillon/cubes).
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills; lead projects from concept to commercialization.
• Fluent in English; willing to travel 10–20%.

Responsibilities

• Lead customer engagements and translate customer needs into IFF solutions.
• Provide technical leadership for projects from concept to commercialization.
• Collaborate across Creative Centers, Application teams, Flavorists, Sales, Marketing, and R&D.
• Mentor junior talent and contribute to capability development.
• Maintain and build lab capabilities and support culinary innovations.
• Travel 10–20% as required.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Travel readiness

Fluent English

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Food Science/ Chemistry/ Biochemistry

Job description

IFF in Hilversum is seeking a Senior Culinary Designer to translate customer needs into practical, flavor-driven solutions. You will work hands-on in the lab with pilot-scale equipment, lead cross-functional projects, and help turning ideas into customer-ready products in soups, sauces, and condiments.

You’ll collaborate with Creative Centers, Application teams, Flavorists, Sales, Marketing, and R&D, mentor junior talent, and travel about 10–20% to engage with customers and partners.