R&D Compounder - 1st shift

Synergy Flavors, Inc; Wauconda (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Synergy Flavors, Inc. in Wauconda, IL is seeking an R&D Compounder I to prepare and compound flavor samples using laboratory and pilot-scale equipment.

You will work closely with the samples team, flavor creation, and applications to ensure customers receive the highest quality samples as quickly as possible and maintain rigorous lab practices. This onsite role requires a HS Diploma or GED, basic computer skills, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities while supporting multiple projects.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma or GED required; 0-5 years in lab or pilot plant settings.
• Proficiency with Excel and basic computer applications.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple projects.
• Strong attention to detail and safety mindset.

Responsibilities

• Compound finished flavors including weighing, mixing, heating, reacting, and drying.
• Maintain laboratory and pilot plant in a clean, organized manner.
• Complete routine cleaning, maintenance, and documentation tasks.
• Coordinate with R&D to prioritize equipment usage and meet deadlines.
• Document batching records and equipment performance accurately.
• Uphold safety policies and report any observations.
• Communicate project status with the R&D team.

Skills

Laboratory equipment use

Attention to detail

Team player

Safety mindset

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Office suite

Job description

Company Overview

Synergy Flavors, part of the Carbery Group, is more than just a leading international supplier of ingredients to the global food and beverage industry—we’re a team driven by purpose. Our vision is simple yet powerful: enriching lives through healthier and tastier foods. We believe great flavor starts with great people. That’s why we’re committed to hiring creative, passionate individuals who want to make a real impact. With deep expertise across food, beverage, and nutrition, our teams develop high-quality taste solutions that inspire innovation and elevate everyday experiences.

Your Role in Synergy's Success

This position is responsible for compounding samples within the sweet research and development (R&D) group utilizing various pieces of laboratory and pilot scale equipment. The role is highly collaborative and supports other groups within R&D, such as the samples team, flavor creation, and applications, by ensuring our customers receive the highest quality samples, quickly.

How You Will Contribute

R&D Compounder I Synergy Flavors, Inc. is a leading international supplier of value-added flavors and ingredients to the global bakery, confectionary, beverage, savory, and nutrition industry. Our objective is simple, to provide great tasting flavors and ingredients for our customers. To do this, we employ some of the industry's most creative minds. We are headquartered in Wauconda, IL with additional operations in Chicago, IL; Hamilton, OH; Rochester, NY and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for compounding samples within the sweet research and development (R&D) group utilizing various pieces of laboratory and pilot scale equipment. The role is highly collaborative and supports other groups within R&D, such as the samples team, flavor creation, and applications, by ensuring our customers receive the highest quality samples, quickly.

Job Responsibilities

• Compound finished flavors which encompasses printing formulas, gathering raw materials, precise weighing and mixing, heating, reacting, spray drying, and/or vacuum drying.
• Maintain laboratory and pilot plant in a clean and organized manner.
• Routinely complete cleaning and organization tasks and, if required, basic preventative maintenance.
• Work with, and support, other members of R&D to prioritize laboratory and pilot plant equipment usage, ensuring project deadlines are met.
• Routinely complete both physical and electronic paperwork documenting, amongst other things, batching records, equipment performance, hours worked, etc.
• Perform all tasks with a strong safety mindset and, if observed, report any safety observations in accordance with internal policies and procedures.
• Routinely communicate with members of the R&D team to provide updates on status of projects.

Qualifications and Skill Requirements

• HS Diploma/GED Required 0-5 yrs experience working with laboratory and pilot plant equipment, particularly within the food or pharmaceutical industry.
• Basic computer skills required, e.g., Email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Basic mathematical skills required.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and support multiple projects within any given day.
• Must be able to work accurately, efficiently, and using good laboratory practices.
• Strong work ethic, organization skills, and attention to detail.
• Positive attitude, team player, and self-starter.
• Ability to work overtime and lift up to 50 pounds when necessary.

Starting Pay: $19 per hour Monday - Friday 9:30a -6p

The actual compensation that you will be offered will depend on a variety of factors including geography, skills and abilities, education, experience and other relevant factors.

This role will remain open until filled.

For more information on our benefits

Location: Wauconda, Illinois Work Arrangement: Onsite Reporting To: R&D Operations Supervisor

Our Commitment to our People

We are a diverse and growing workforce of over 1,000 people across eight countries globally. As we continue to grow, we want to ensure that Carbery Group continues to be a place where people are supported to develop and feel that they can do their best work. We are committed to driving growth, developing future capability and delivering results through our dedicated teams. We offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and an inclusive workplace where your skills, perspectives, and experience help shape the future of our industry. Join us and be part of a team that values collaboration and makes a meaningful impact - from local communities to global markets. Carbery Group is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering a supportive work environment. Across our global organisation, we employ 1000 people in 8 countries – and we are growing. From production specialists to R&D experts, finance, quality, digital, marketing, sales and so much more, see what opportunities await you with Carbery and Synergy. Our Work Experience is the combination of everything that's unique about us: our culture, our core values, our company meetings, our commitment to sustainability, our recognition programs, but most importantly, it's our people. Our employees are self-disciplined, hard working, curious, trustworthy, humble, and truthful. They make choices according to what is best for the team, they live for opportunities to collaborate and make a difference, and they make us the #1 Top Workplace in the area.