Scientist, Taste Modulation

Imbibe•Niles, IL

16d•Onsite

About The Position

The Taste Modulation Scientist supports ingredient research and development and base modulation work in sugar reduction, masking, and mouthfeel. The role involves collaboration with Taste Modulation team members, Flavorists, and Product Developers, combining research and hands-on product development. The Scientist develops expertise in sweetening and/or masking, formulates complex ingredient systems, leads customer and research projects, and helps scope innovation opportunities and assess technical feasibility. The role also coordinates resources, timelines, and cross-functional work, contributes to team growth, and may supervise or manage entry- to mid-level employees, typically 1–2 direct reports.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in food science, chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, or a relevant field.
4–10+ years of experience in the food, beverage, ingredient, and/or flavor industry, with a background in product development or applications.
At least 4 years of experience leading new product development projects as the key technical member of a cross-functional team.
Understanding of how to design and execute an experiment.
Ability to taste and describe organoleptic properties of finished products, ingredients, and flavors.
Strong organizational, documentation, oral communication, and written communication skills.
Understanding of ingredient interactions and functionality.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, and customers.
Knowledge of food product design, formulation, process design, product scale-up, plant testing, and commercialization.
Working knowledge of GMPs, food safety, and HACCP programs, concepts, principles, and practices.
Ability to work independently with little direction and as part of a team.
Passion for creativity and innovation in a fast-paced environment.
Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask.
Excellent organization and time-management skills.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Experience in sugar reduction, natural high-intensity sweeteners, FMPs, masking, ingredient modulation, and/or flavor science.

Responsibilities

Establish subject matter expertise in sweetening and/or masking to support complex development formulations involving taste challenges.
Help scope innovation opportunities and customer project briefs and assess their technical feasibility.
Work with key team members in innovation programs to ensure project technical feasibility.
Lead customer and research projects as technical lead and ensure successful completion.
Coordinate and manage resources to meet project timelines and success criteria.
Develop new ingredients, technologies, and full product development formulas for customers and internal developers.
Formulate complex natural sweetener, masking, and mouthfeel systems for custom projects.
Execute proactive innovation and optimization development projects.
Lead internal initiatives that showcase Taste Modulation innovations.
Interact with external customers as part of the core team.
Work independently while balancing a multi-task workload.
Collaborate with pricing, engineering, procurement, quality, operations, and marketing teams to complete projects successfully.
Provide technical input and soft-skill coaching to junior team members as part of team growth initiatives.
Potentially supervise or manage entry- to mid-level teammates, typically 1–2 direct reports.