Principal Flavorist

Altria; Virginia (MN); Remote; USD 133,000 - 202,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/remote options

PTO 15 days

Holidays 13

Floating holidays 2

37.5-hour workweek

Performance bonus

401(k) matching

Deferred Profit Sharing

Professional dev stipends

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Parental leave

Wellness programs

Volunteer days

Job summary

Altria in Richmond, VA seeks a Principal Flavorist to lead discovery and creation of new flavor concepts for future products. You will guide cross-functional teams, evaluate consumer insights, and shape flavor systems while aligning with regulatory standards.

This role emphasizes technical excellence, innovation at scale, and people leadership. Applicants should have a strong foundation in flavor science, 10+ years of development experience, and the ability to manage and inspire teams across R&D

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology or Food Science preferred; advanced degree or Flavorist Certification preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in flavor systems, ingredients, technologies for food, fragrances or pharma.
• Experience coaching and managing teams in flavor development.
• Deep knowledge of flavor creation, ingredients, processing aids and suppliers.
• Strong communication for cross-functional projects.
• Ability to work with diverse teams; nicotine product experience preferred.
• Experience in product evaluation to support flavor initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead flavor innovation and discovery to unlock new product spaces.
• Identify emerging trends and technologies for consumer-relevant innovations.
• Drive insight-led ideation from consumer insights to concepts.
• Uncover opportunity spaces across flavor categories.
• Shape next-generation flavor systems for future products.
• Guide sensory evaluation to ensure differentiated experiences.
• Enable innovation at scale by building tools and knowledge bases.
• Collaborate with R&D, Commercial and Analytical teams from idea to execution.
• Ensure regulatory and quality integration for rapid development.
• Mentor and develop talent to foster creativity and technical excellence.

Skills

Flavor system knowledge

Leadership experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Sensory evaluation

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry/Biology/Food Science

Advanced degree or Flavorist Certification

Tools

Flavor development equipment

Job description

Together We Innovate. Together We Change.

Ready to shape the future of flavor innovation? If a strong foundation in flavor systems, ingredients, and technologies is paired with a passion for creating what’s next, this opportunity offers a chance to make a lasting impact.

We’re seeking a Principal Flavorist in Richmond, VA to lead the discovery, innovation, and creation of new flavor concepts that power next-generation product development.

This role offers the opportunity to define and develop our focus on building a long-term pipeline through breakthrough products and cross-functional collaboration. This team brings together deep technical expertise to unlock new product spaces, accelerate innovation, and shape the future of the enterprise.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Lead flavor innovation and discovery: Guide teams in creating breakthrough flavor concepts that unlock new product spaces and fuel long-term innovation pipelines.
• Identify emerging trends and technologies: Continuously explore new flavor technologies and trends, translating them into consumer-relevant innovations and competitive advantage.
• Drive insight-led ideation: Lead cross-functional ideation efforts, turning consumer insights and unmet needs into bold, differentiated flavor concepts.
• Uncover new opportunity spaces: Develop market and competitive insights to identify white space opportunities across product and flavor categories.
• Shape next-generation product experiences: Apply deep technical expertise to design, evaluate, and refine innovative flavor systems for future-focused products.
• Advance consumer-centered design: Guide sensory evaluation and interpretation to ensure flavor solutions deliver compelling, differentiated experiences.
• Enable innovation at scale: Build and evolve infrastructure, tools, and knowledge systems that accelerate innovation and strengthen organizational capability.
• Partner to deliver breakthrough outcomes: Collaborate across R&D, Commercial, and Analytical teams to bring innovative flavor concepts from idea through execution.
• Lead regulatory and quality integration for innovation: Ensure new flavor solutions align with regulatory requirements while enabling speed and agility in development.
• Build and grow innovation capability: Mentor and develop talent, fostering a culture of creativity, technical excellence, and continuous learning.

We Want You to Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology or Food Science preferred. Advanced degree or Flavorist Certification preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in the development and knowledge of flavor systems, flavor ingredients, flavor technologies and processes for food, fragrances, and/or pharma industries
• Experience in successfully managing and coaching teams
• In-depth knowledge of flavor creation and development, flavor ingredients, processing aids, suppliers and flavor application equipment and technologies are preferred.
• Ability to communicate effective as the position will represent and advocate for Flavor Development on cross-functional projects.
• Ability to work well with diverse and cross-functional teams
• User of nicotine products is preferred
• Participation in product evaluation is preferred to support Flavor Development initiatives

As a People Leader at Altria, you are accountable for both results and the experience of your team. You drive alignment by connecting strategy to daily work, and you model collaboration by embracing diverse perspectives. By creating trust, offering feedback, and leading with authenticity, you help strengthen Altria’s culture and deliver meaningful outcomes.

The starting salary is based on but not limited to experience, knowledge, and qualifications in determining compensation decisions. The Salary Range for this position is: $132,500.00 - $202,100.00.

Why You’ll Love Building Your Career at Altria

At Altria, we believe a great career starts with feeling supported — both at work and in life. Here’s what you’ll find here:

• Work where life works for you — with flexible and remote options that fit your world, not the other way around.
• Own your time — start with 15 days of paid time off, 13 paid holidays, 2 floating holiday days, and a 37.5-hour workweek so you can recharge and live fully
• A place where you belong — where your ideas are welcomed, your growth is encouraged, and your impact is real
• Get recognized for your work – annual merit increases and performance bonus
• A future you can count on — 401(k) matching from day one; plus Deferred Profit Sharing, an annual company contribution in an amount equal to 13%-17% of your base salary
• Help with your goals — get help with student loan repayment assistance, attend a conference, or gain a new certification with professional development stipends
• Support for what matters most — comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family
• Celebrating your milestones — paid parental and bonding leave for life’s biggest moments.
• Wellness that goes beyond work — programs that care for your whole well-being at whatever stage you are in your life
• A culture that gives back — paid volunteer days and a shared commitment to making a difference

At Altria, we offer more than benefits — we offer a career that fits your life, rewards your ambition, and celebrates your impact.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.