Flavorist

Wellington Executive Search; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K with company match

Job summary

The Flavorist / Flavor Chemist role is on-site in the western Chicagoland suburbs near O'Hare, focusing on developing savory flavors and taste modulators for food products. You will test, optimize, and document flavor systems while collaborating with R&D, Quality, and Marketing to meet customer needs.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s in food science, chemistry, or biochemistry with 5+ years in savory flavor creation; strong flavor chemistry, sensory evaluation, and regulatory knowledge are

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, chemistry, or related field; master’s preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in flavor creation with savory focus.
• Knowledge of taste modulators (umami enhancers, salt reducers, blockers, etc.).
• Membership in flavorist organizations or apprenticeships preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops, tests, and refines savory flavors and modulators for various food applications.
• Evaluates raw materials and understands flavor chemistry and sensory profiles.
• Ensures compliance with global food safety and labeling standards.
• Collaborates with internal teams to translate briefs into flavor solutions.
• Maintains project records, formulas, and technical reports.
• Stays current with market trends and new ingredient technologies.

Skills

Sensory evaluation

Taste/smell acuity

Flavor chemistry

Maillard reactions

Lipid oxidation

Raw materials knowledge

Problem-solving

Project management

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Formulation software

Microsoft Office

Laboratory equipment

Task prioritization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in food science/chemistry/biochemistry

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Formulation software

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Our client is a producer of flavors and ingredients sold to food and beverage manufacturers.

We specialize in savory flavors and taste modulators. The Flavorist / Flavor Chemist will develop, test, and optimize savory flavors and taste modulators for use in food products. This role involves creating innovative solutions to enhance or modify taste profiles, ensuring regulatory compliance, and collaborating with cross-functional teams such as R&D, Quality, and Marketing to deliver high-quality flavor systems that meet customer and business needs.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Develops, tests, and refines savory flavors and taste modulators for various food applications (soups, sauces, snacks, plant-based proteins, etc.).
• Evaluates raw materials and maintains a strong understanding of flavor chemistry, reaction processes, and sensory profiles.
• Partners with regulatory, quality assurance, and application scientists to ensure compliance with global food safety and labeling standards.
• Collaborates with customers and internal teams to translate project briefs into successful flavor solutions.
• Maintains accurate project records, formula documentation, and technical reports.
• Stays current with market trends, consumer preferences, and new ingredient technologies to drive innovation.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Excellent sensory evaluation skills and strong taste/smell acuity.
• Strong knowledge of flavor chemistry, processing reactions (Maillard, lipid oxidation), and raw material functionality.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to design creative flavor solutions.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective communication and presentation skills for internal stakeholders and customers.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams in R&D, marketing, and production.
• Proficient with formulation software, Microsoft Office Suite, and laboratory equipment.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt in a fast-paced environment.

Job Qualifications, Education, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field (master’s preferred).
• At least 5 years of experience in flavor creation, with a focus on savory applications.
• Strong knowledge of taste modulators (umami enhancers, salt reducers, bitterness blockers, etc.).
• Membership in professional flavorist organizations or formal flavorist apprenticeship/certification preferred.

• We offer the successful candidate a generous compensation package (base salary plus bonus), medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401K with company match, and more.

This job is located on-site in the western Chicagoland suburbs, near O'Hare Airport.