Confections Application Technologist

ACTalent; Addison (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Confectionery Food Scientist to join our team in Addison, IL. You will develop and optimize formulations for gummies, chocolate, licorice, and other confections, while guiding bench-top to commercial-scale production and mentoring junior staff.

You will evaluate flavor systems, textures, and color performance, lead pilot trials and sensory evaluations, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality confectionery solutions for our clients.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of product development experience in confections, including chocolate, gummies, licorice, hard and soft candy.
• Ability to support scale-up activities from bench-top development through commercial manufacturing.
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field.
• Minimum 2-3 years of confectionery product development or applications experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize formulations for gummies, nutraceutical gummies, licorice, chocolate, compound coatings, hard candy, soft candy, pectin systems, starch-molded confections, chews, and related confectionery products.
• Mentor laboratory technicians and junior technologists on confectionery formulation and processing techniques.
• Lead presentations, product demonstrations, and trade shows.
• Answer customer questions about formulations, ingredients, production processes, labeling, and compliance.
• Evaluate flavor performance, sweetness systems, masking technologies, texture systems, and color performance in confectionery applications.
• Lead pilot trials and conduct shelf life physical/chemical tests.
• Support product development and applications teams in tastings, information sharing, concept development, training, and sample creation.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records of formulations and test results.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and participate in internal tasting panels to assess flavor, texture, and overall product performance.

Skills

Confectionery product development

Scale-up support

Flavor masking technologies

Chocolate processing knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field

Job description

Job Title: Confectionery Food Scientist

Job Description

We are seeking a skilled Confectionery Product Development Technologist to join our team. This role involves developing and optimizing formulations for a variety of confectionery products, including gummies, licorice, chocolate, and more. The successful candidate will play a crucial part in expanding our product development capabilities and supporting our confectionery clients.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize formulations for gummies, nutraceutical gummies, licorice, chocolate, compound coatings, hard candy, soft candy, pectin systems, starch-molded confections, chews, and related confectionery products.

• Mentor laboratory technicians and junior technologists on confectionery formulation and processing techniques.

• Lead presentations, product demonstrations, and trade shows.

• Answer customer questions about formulations, ingredients, production processes, labeling, and compliance.

• Evaluate flavor performance, sweetness systems, masking technologies, texture systems, and color performance in confectionery applications.

• Lead pilot trials and conduct shelf life physical/chemical tests.

• Support product development and applications teams in tastings, information sharing, concept development, training, and sample creation.

• Maintain detailed and accurate records of formulations and test results.

• Conduct sensory evaluations and participate in internal tasting panels to assess flavor, texture, and overall product performance.

Essential Skills

• 3-5 years of product development experience in confections, including chocolate, gummies, licorice, hard and soft candy.

• Ability to support scale-up activities from bench-top development through commercial manufacturing.

• Bachelors degree in Food Science or related field.

• Minimum 2-3 years of confectionery product development or applications experience.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in flavor masking technologies and sweetness optimization for nutraceutical (gummy) products.

• Knowledge of chocolate processing, tempering, and viscosity management.

Work Environment

Work in a lab environment with occasional production visits. The lab is GMP regulated, PPE, including eye protection and steel-toed shoes, will be provided. Exposure to the big 9 allergens is possible. Work with an applications team of 5 and a total team size of 11. Frequently required to sit at a desk and stand in the lab for extended periods, taste or smell products, lift 20-30 pounds, and perceive color. Moderate noise level in the lab. Collaborate with various teams including Flavor Development, Sales, Marketing, Regulatory, Quality Assurance, Operations, and Commercialization.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Addison, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70000.00 - $90000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Addison, IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 23, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Addison,IL.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.