Senior Flavor Scientist

Voyage Foods • Oakland, CA

99d

About The Position

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Flavor Scientist to join our R&D team and lead the development and optimization of flavor systems across a wide range of novel food products. This role is ideal for a creative and technically proficient flavor expert with a strong foundation in flavor chemistry, and extensive hands-on experience in flavor creation. Good understanding of the flavor regulatory landscape is extremely valuable. The role will require deep understanding of how flavors interact with the ingredients and the processing of our novel food matrices that will help shape the strategies in flavor formulation and application. The successful candidate will work at the intersection of science, innovation, and culinary art—developing both custom flavors and optimizing the use of existing flavoring ingredients to deliver outstanding taste experiences in line with consumer expectations and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• B.S. in Food Science, Chemistry, or related field.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in flavor development, with at least part of that time spent in a flavor house or flavor-centric role within the food industry.
• Hands-on experience with flavor creation, including top-notes, modulators, masking agents, and natural flavoring substances. Experience in the Sweet Category is an advantage.
• Deep understanding of flavor chemistry, including reaction flavors, encapsulation, thermal stability, and flavor interactions with different food matrices.
• Strong knowledge of global flavor regulations, labeling requirements, and clean-label trends.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with a data-driven and detail-oriented mindset.
• Strong communication and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) on Flavor Chemistry at Voyage Foods
• Lead the development and application of unique flavor formulations from scratch, as well as adapt and modify existing ones to fit specific product matrices and specifications.
• Demonstrate the ability to correlate flavor compounds with sensory and consumer data, understanding of flavor compound stability and flavor interactions with ingredients
• Collaborate with regulatory team on flavor regulatory and labelling requirements
• Collaborate cross-functionally with food scientists, product developers, regulatory and manufacturing teams to align flavor development with product goals and timelines.
• Mentor junior scientists and support training initiatives within the R&D team.
• Manage relationships, technical discussions and sourcing with external flavor houses and suppliers.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, and presentations.
• Explore new sources of natural flavors, including botanicals, and spices.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees