Senior Food Scientist

CareersInFood.com; Niles (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CareersInFood.com seeks a Senior Scientist of Taste Modulation to lead and support development tasks for new ingredients, base modulation in sugar reduction, masking, and mouthfeel. You will collaborate with Flavorists and Product Developers and lead teams and projects, balancing product development and research.

You will apply expertise in sweetening and masking, scope customer briefs, manage a multi-project portfolio, and drive innovations from concept to launch, often supervising 1–3 junior

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, or relevant field is required.
• 7-10+ years in the food, beverage, ingredient, and/or flavor industry with a background in product development or applications required.
• 7+ years leading new product development projects as key technical member on cross-functional teams.
• Experience in sugar reduction, natural high-intensity sweeteners, masking, ingredient modulation, and/or flavor science.
• Proven track record of product/process development from bench to market launch.
• Strong ability to multi-task and lead in a high-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support development tasks for new ingredients and base modulation in sugar reduction, masking, and mouthfeel.
• Collaborate with Flavorists and Product Developers and work well in a team environment.
• Direct multi-project development portfolios and drive technical and strategic contributions.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Independent work

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or related field

Job description

The Senior Scientist of Taste Modulation leads and helps support the team’s efforts to accomplish several different development tasks associated with new ingredient research, development, and base modulation in sugar reduction, masking, and mouthfeel space. They collaborate with other Taste Modulation team members, Flavorists, and Product Developers, and work well in a team environment, contribute ideas and hands-on assistance, lead teams and projects, and display an equal interest in product development and research.

• Subject matter expert in the sweetening and/or masking space, supporting complex development formulation with taste challenges.
• Assist in scoping customer project briefs as a subject matter expert, ensuring the technical feasibility.
• Scope for innovation opportunities and ensure the technical feasibility of the projects.
• Works with key team members in the innovation programs and ensures the technical feasibility of the projects.
• Directs a multi-project development portfolio and makes strong technical and strategic contributions to research and development project teams.
• Lead customer and research projects as technical lead, ensuring successful completion.
• Coordinate and manage resources to meet project timelines and other success criteria.
• Build new ingredients, technologies, and full product development formulas that will provide innovative solutions to customers and internal developers.
• Formulate complex natural sweetener systems, masking systems, and mouthfeel systems for custom projects.
• Execute proactive innovation and optimization development projects.
• Lead internal initiatives that showcase Taste Modulation innovations.
• Interacts with external customers as technical lead or as part of a core development team.
• Must work independently and balance a multi-task workload.
• Work with other internal team members including pricing, engineering, procurement, quality, operations, and marketing for successful project completion.
• Participate in team growth initiatives, providing technical input and soft skill coaching to team members.
• Lead team-focused process development initiatives.
• This role may include supervision of other teammates or management of entry to mid-level roles (typically 1-3 direct reports).

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, or relevant field is required.
• 7-10 years+ in the food, beverage, ingredient, and/or flavor industry with a background in product development or applications required.
• 7 years+ experience in leading new product development projects as the key technical member on a cross-functional team
• Experience in sugar reduction, natural high-intensity sweeteners, FMPs, masking, ingredient modulation, and/or flavor science
• Successful track record and proven experience in product/process development from laboratory bench scale to successful execution & launch to market
• Ability to operate, multi-task, and shift priorities in a high-paced environment
• Aptitude for technical leadership and project management to effectively and efficiently drive a complex project
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and customers
• Ability to work cross-functionally
• Strong organizational, documentation, oral and written communication skills
• Have a passion for creativity and innovation within a fast-paced environment
• Comfortable with ambiguity
• Strong problem-solving skills

Working Conditions

• Typical office setting for most desk work and paperwork, including use of standard office equipment.
• Typical food/beverage laboratory and pilot plant setting for all hands-on development work, including the use of standard laboratory equipment.
• Exposure to food and beverage product tastings, which may include allergens.
• Must be able to sit, stand, or remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
• May occasionally need to move, lift, or transport containers of ingredients weighing up to 50 lbs.
• May require travel to co-manufacturing facilities (<10% annually), where exposure to confined spaces, loud noise, excessive heat/cold, and/or wet/slippery conditions is possible.