Job DescriptionSubject Matter Expert (SME), CD&D Confections Colors - Erlanger, KYPosition Overview:The CD&D Colors Application Scientist (Confections) serves as a technical subject matter expert in color application across confectionery systems, delivering innovative, commercially viable color solutions that meet evolving customer, regulatory, and consumer demands.
This role focuses on natural color performance in confection matrices (e.g., gummies, hard candy, panned products, chocolate systems), translating fundamental color science into practical applications that enable successful commercialization.
The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in confection processing with strong knowledge of color chemistry, enabling them to solve complex stability and performance challenges while partnering closely with customers.
Key Responsibilities:- Application Development & Testing
- Design and execute experiments evaluating color performance in confectionery systems (e.g., high/low moisture, gelatin vs. pectin systems, sugar vs. sugar-free).
- Assess color behavior under processing and storage conditions including:
- Heat (cooking, extrusion)
- pH variation
- Water activity
- Light exposure and shelf life
- Analyze interactions between colors and confection ingredients (acids, sugars, polyols, fats, coatings).
- Generate actionable data to guide formulation and recommend optimized solutions.
- Subject Matter Leadership - Confections
- Act as the go-to expert for confection applications across CD&D and commercial teams.
- Lead troubleshooting for complex challenges such as:
- Color fade or instability
- Shade variability in panning/coating systems
- Migration or bleeding issues
- Support development of best practices and application guidelines for internal and external stakeholders.
- Customer Collaboration & Commercialization
- Partner directly with customers' R&D teams to deliver Concept-through-Commercialization support, especially in transitions to Natural Colors
- Translate technical findings into clear, customer-ready recommendations.
- Participate in customer visits, presentations and pilot trials.
- Support business growth by enabling fit-for-purpose color solutions that meet cost, performance and regulatory needs.
- Innovation & Portfolio Development
- Identify gaps and opportunities in the confection color portfolio.
- Collaborate with Color and Product Development teams to:
- Develop new formulations
- Improve performance in challenging systems (i.e. high-acid gummies, fat-based coatings, etc)
- Contribute to innovation pipelines aligned to market trends and customer needs (i.e. clean label, reduced sugar, etc)
- Migration or bleeding issues
- Cross-Functional Partnership
- Work closely with internal CD&D, Regulatory, Marketing and Commercial teams to ensure alignment between technical abilities and commercial strategy.
- Contribute to the development of technical training materials and best-practice guides for color use.
Qualifications- Bachelor's or higher in Food Science, Chemistry or related field.
- 5-10+ years in food applications, with strong focus on confectionery systems
- Demonstrated experience in color application and troubleshooting
- Experience with natural colors and FD&C replacement strategies strongly preferred
- Deep knowledge of:
- Confection processing technologies
- Color chemistry and stability principles
- Ingredient interactions in complex matrices
- Hands-on experience with:
- Pilot plant / lab-scale confection production
- Analytical and sensory evaluation of color performance
Key Competencies- Strong problem-solving and experimental design capability
- Customer-facing communication skills (executive and technical audiences)
- Ability to translate technical insights into commercial impact
- Collaborative mindset across global teams
Success Profile- Recognized internally and externally as a confection color expert
- Drives high win rates through technically differentiated solutions
- Accelerates customer transitions to natural colors
- Demonstrates strong linkage between technical delivery and revenue generation
Excited about this role but don't think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.
REF:110024BR
Benefits and Perks Enriching the quality of life for the world begins by taking care of our colleagues. In addition to competitive pay, we support your diverse needs with a comprehensive total rewards package to enhance your well-being, including:
- Physical wellness - medical/Rx, dental, vision and on-site wellness center access or gym reimbursement (as applicable).
- Financial wellness - flexible spending accounts, health savings account, 401(k) with matching contributions and cash balance plan, discounted employee stock purchasing program, life insurance, disability, workers' compensation, legal assistance, identity theft protection.
- Mental and social wellness - Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Colleague Giving Programs (ADM Cares).
Additional benefits include:
- Paid time off including paid holidays.
- Adoption assistance and paid maternity and parental leave.
- Tuition assistance.
- Company-sponsored training and development resources, such as LinkedIn Learning, language training and mentoring programs.
*Benefits may vary for bargained locations, confirm benefit eligibility with your recruiter.
Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.
If hired, employees will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
The pay range for this position is expected to be between:
