Flavorist

Flavorist (Flavor Chemist)

Location: Durham

Salary: $80,000 – $100,000 (based on experience)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

Our client is seeking an experienced Flavorist to develop, match, and optimize flavor systems across a variety of food and beverage applications. This role partners closely with R&D, applications, and commercial teams to create innovative, high-quality flavor solutions that meet customer expectations and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and formulate flavor profiles for food and beverage applications (e.g., beverages, dairy, bakery, confectionery)
• Match existing flavors and optimize formulations for performance, cost, and scalability
• Evaluate raw materials and maintain a strong working knowledge of flavor ingredients and technologies
• Collaborate with applications, sales, and customers to deliver tailored flavor solutions
• Support scale-up from bench to production, ensuring consistency and quality
• Maintain accurate formulation records and documentation within internal systems
• Ensure all formulations meet regulatory, safety, and labeling requirements
• Participate in sensory evaluation and provide technical guidance on flavor performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Food Science, or related field (advanced degree preferred)
• 5+ years of experience as a Flavorist or Associate Flavorist in the flavor industry
• Proven ability to formulate and match flavors across multiple applications
• Strong knowledge of raw materials, flavor chemistry, and industry regulations
• Experience working in a fast-paced, customer-driven environment
• Excellent sensory evaluation and problem-solving skills

Skills & Competencies

• Flavor creation and matching expertise
• Strong analytical and formulation skills
• High attention to detail and documentation accuracy
• Ability to manage multiple projects and timelines
• Effective cross-functional communication

Work Environment

• Laboratory and pilot plant setting
• Exposure to flavor raw materials and food production environments
• Occasional travel to customer sites as needed