Sr Scientist, Taste Modulation

Imbibe•Niles, IL

16d•$95,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The Senior Scientist of Taste Modulation leads and supports development work involving new ingredient research, development, and base modulation in sugar reduction, masking, and mouthfeel. The role collaborates with Taste Modulation team members, Flavorists, and Product Developers, contributing ideas and hands-on support while leading teams and projects. It balances product development and research responsibilities. As a subject matter expert in sweetening and/or masking, the Senior Scientist supports complex formulations and helps scope customer briefs and innovation opportunities for technical feasibility. The position leads customer and research projects, directs a multi-project development portfolio, coordinates resources and timelines, develops ingredients, technologies, and product formulas, and executes innovation and optimization projects. It also works with customers and cross-functional internal teams, contributes to team growth and process development, and may supervise or manage entry- to mid-level teammates, typically one to three direct reports. Work takes place in a typical office for desk work and paperwork, as well as food and beverage laboratory and pilot plant settings for hands-on development. The position involves exposure to product tastings that may include allergens and may require travel to co-manufacturing facilities, less than 10% annually. Travel locations may involve confined spaces, loud noise, excessive heat or cold, and wet or slippery conditions. The role may require remaining stationary for extended periods and occasionally moving, lifting, or transporting ingredient containers weighing up to 50 pounds.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, or a relevant field.
At least 7–10 years of experience in the food, beverage, ingredient, and/or flavor industry, with a background in product development or applications.
At least 7 years of experience leading new product development projects as the key technical member of a cross-functional team.
Experience in sugar reduction, natural high-intensity sweeteners, FMPs, masking, ingredient modulation, and/or flavor science.
Proven track record in product and process development from laboratory bench scale through execution and market launch.
Ability to operate, multitask, and shift priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Technical leadership and project management aptitude to drive complex projects effectively and efficiently.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from managers, clients, and customers.
Ability to work cross-functionally.
Strong organizational, documentation, oral, and written communication skills.
Passion for creativity and innovation in a fast-paced environment.
Comfort with ambiguity.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Proactive, self-starting approach.
Ability to sit, stand, or remain stationary for extended periods.
Ability to occasionally move, lift, or transport ingredient containers weighing up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

Serve as a subject matter expert in sweetening and/or masking, supporting complex development formulations with taste challenges.
Help scope customer project briefs and innovation opportunities, assessing technical feasibility.
Work with key team members on innovation programs and ensure project technical feasibility.
Direct a multi-project development portfolio and make technical and strategic contributions to research and development teams.
Lead customer and research projects as technical lead, ensuring successful completion.
Coordinate and manage resources to meet project timelines and other success criteria.
Develop ingredients, technologies, and full product development formulas to provide innovative solutions 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 showcasing Taste Modulation innovations.
Interact with external customers as technical lead or as part of a core development team.
Work independently and balance a multi-task workload.
Collaborate with pricing, engineering, procurement, quality, operations, and marketing for successful project completion.
Participate in team growth initiatives by providing technical input and soft-skill coaching.
Lead team-focused process development initiatives.
Potentially supervise teammates or manage entry- to mid-level roles, typically one to three direct reports.