Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Flavor Chemistry, Culinary Science, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
Over 10 years of R&D experience in the food industry, focusing on savory flavor development and seasoning systems.
Demonstrated expertise in sensory and application work, customer collaboration, and technical leadership.
Experience in a flavor house or seasoning company is strongly preferred.
Hands-on expertise with reaction flavors, top notes, spice extracts, and natural products.
Responsibilities
Champion Taste Innovation by identifying and communicating savory flavor trends and market opportunities.
Lead the development of savory flavor systems and customer-ready solutions that meet food application needs.
Utilize technical expertise in flavor chemistry and sensory science to address customer challenges.
Create compelling demonstrations and technical tools to showcase Kalsec's innovation capabilities.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prioritize and execute high-value projects.
Mentor and develop technical talent in savory flavor development and sensory innovation.
Drive innovation success by enhancing product growth and maximizing ROI from Taste Innovation efforts.
Benefits
Comprehensive food safety training provided annually.
Opportunities for professional development and technical skill enhancement.
Full Job Description
Job Summary:
This role serves as Kalsec's champion for Taste Innovation, both internally and externally, by advancing savory flavor development capabilities and translating market needs into differentiated natural taste solutions. The individual leads the development of innovative savory flavor systems utilizing reaction flavors, top notes, spice extracts, natural products, seasoning concepts, prototypes, and sensory-driven solutions that support business growth. Success in the role is measured through the impact of innovation efforts, including the growth of new products, the strength and quality of the customer project pipeline, increased project conversion rates, and the delivery of maximum return on investment.
Essential Job Responsibilities:
Champion Taste Innovation across Kalsec and with customers by shaping a clear point of view on savory flavor trends, natural products, technologies, applications, and market opportunities.
Lead the creation of savory flavor systems and customer-ready solutions using reaction flavors, top notes, spice extracts, natural products, seasoning concepts, and prototypes that address food application needs and generate new business.
Apply technical expertise in flavor chemistry, savory taste modulation, seasoning design, ingredient interactions, sensory science, natural extracts, and food applications to solve customer challenges.
Develop compelling customer demonstrations, presentations, prototypes, and technical tools that showcase Kalsec's taste innovation capabilities.
Partner with Sales, Product Management, Applications, Sensory, and R&D to prioritize and execute high-value customer and innovation projects.
Lead, coach, and develop technical talent supporting savory flavor development, sensory innovation, and customer project execution.
Advance innovation success by growing new products, strengthening the customer project pipeline, improving conversion rate, and maximizing return on investment from Taste Innovation efforts.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree with 5+ years related experience as an individual contributor and 5+ years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required
Degree in Food Science, Flavor Chemistry, Chemistry, Culinary Science, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of ten years of food industry R&D experience with demonstrated expertise in:
Savory flavor development
Seasoning systems
Sensory and application work
Customer collaboration
Technical leadership
Experience in a flavor house and/or seasoning company strongly preferred.
Hands-on expertise working with:
Reaction flavors
Top notes
Spice extracts
Natural products
Proven ability to develop and commercialize innovative savory food solutions that meet customer and market needs.
Desired
Experience with savory food categories, including: Snacks, Meat and poultry, Plant-based foods, Sauces and soups, prepared meals and related savory applications
Strong ability to translate: Culinary insights, Sensory insights, Natural product expertise, Market trends and customer needs
Demonstrated success in developing commercially relevant taste solutions that drive customer value and business growth.
This job description is not intended to cover every detail or every aspect of the job identified. Other duties may and will be assigned based upon the workload and needs of the department.
Kalsec® is committed to providing safe food to its customers. This position requires completing annual food safety training. Food safety training is conducted through Kalsec® electronic training program and on-the-job training in each department. The organizational chart identifies personnel responsible for covering food safety responsibilities in the absence of this position.
