Job Opening: Application Scientist Wanted
Job Title: Scientist, Applications
Location: Illinois
About the Company
This role is with a dynamic, high-growth food and beverage development company based in Illinois. The company specializes in developing, creating, and manufacturing beverage flavors, ingredient systems, and finished food and beverage products. Its mission is to design ingredients with impact for the industry.
Since its founding in 1963, the company has been at the forefront of flavor innovation and product development. It offers a comprehensive range of services, including full product development, taste modulation, and finished product solutions. The state-of-the-art campus features an Innovation Center and Pilot Plant, enabling the team to tackle industry-wide taste and texture challenges and ensure clients receive the highest quality products.
The company prides itself on its entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to continuous improvement, driven by values of collaboration, accountability, and entrepreneurship. It also believes in giving back to the community through various initiatives, including supporting efforts to combat food insecurity in the Chicagoland area.
Summary of Position
The Scientist is a mid-level product developer skilled in the formulation, scale-up, and commercialization of food and beverage products. This individual is proficient in self-management and project prioritization to meet business and client needs and plays a key role in keeping a project team on task. They possess a developing knowledge of the food and beverage industry and are a keen innovator within an ever-changing trend landscape.
Essential Job Duties
- Formulate high-quality products for clients, assuming responsibility for the design, planning, and execution of projects with varying complexity.
- Batch and prepare formulas for processing at the bench and pilot plant scale, with an in-depth working knowledge of relevant processing equipment.
- Conduct analytical testing on raw and finished product samples (e.g., pH, titratable acidity, total solids/moisture, particle size, Brix, density, viscosity, and color).
- Apply critical thinking, food science, and business principles to work through complex scenarios at bench, pilot, and commercial scales, leveraging internal and external resources for troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
- Interact with clients on a regular basis to maintain project momentum and engagement.
- Drive progress and deliver results on multiple priorities, projects, and timelines concurrently.
- Provide technical support for product trials of varying complexity and risk.
- Monitor progress of shelf life for given projects through data analysis and synthesis into comprehensive technical reports.
- Execute other duties as assigned within established SOPs and participate in SOP revision, optimization, and creation with other stakeholders. Participate in training and onboarding initiatives as needed and lead training for any direct reports.
- Follow all Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines and assist in enforcing policies throughout the organization.
- This role may require travel to manufacturing plants (<20%).
- This role may include supervision of other teammates as well as management of entry or junior-level roles (typically 1-2 direct reports).
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in food science, chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum 4 years’ experience in a food/beverage manufacturing facility and/or laboratory setting.
- Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, and Word.
- Skilled in data synthesis and technical writing/communication.
- Collaborative and team-oriented mindset with a detailed work style.
- Proficiency in self-management and prioritization skills to meet client and business needs.
- Comfortable with a brisk working pace and an environment of changing priorities.
- Must be able to sit, stand, or remain in a stationary position for extended periods.
- May occasionally need to move, lift, or transport containers of ingredients weighing up to 50 lbs.
- Exposure to food and beverage product tastings which may include allergens.
- Occasional travel to manufacturing plants where exposure to confined spaces, loud noise, excessive heat/cold, and/or wet/slippery conditions is possible.
Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in beverage product development is preferred.
- Direct experience in the formulation and successful launch of multiple beverage product platforms (e.g., high- and low-acid ready-to-drink, ready-to-mix beverage powders, functional beverages, and concentrates/syrups).
- Skilled in data synthesis and technical writing/communication.
- Comfortable executing presentations to internal stakeholders and external clients.
Working Conditions
- Typical office setting for most desk work and paperwork, including the 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.
Approximate Salary Range
$82,500 - $100,000 USD
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range listed represents the expected earnings for this role. The company supports employee well-being and professional growth by offering a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care
- 401k retirement plan with company contribution and match
- FSA and HSA accounts
- Generous company holidays, PTO, and sick time
- Onsite gym and wellness opportunities
- Paid parental leave
- Life and disability insurance
- Learning and professional development opportunities
Contact support@flavorist.com