Flavor Applications Scientist

Nielsen Massey Vanillas is hiring a Flavor Applications Scientist in Waukegan, IL. The role involves developing and optimizing vanilla flavor applications for various food and beverage products, collaborating with multiple departments, and participating in sensory evaluations. The position requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with 10-25% travel for customer meetings and industry events. Salary ranges from $80,000 to $100,000 based on experience.
Position: Flavor Applications Scientist

Reports to: Global Research & Development Director

Location: Waukegan, Illinois, about 40 miles north of Chicago’s Loop

Salary Range: $80,000-$100,000 – Compensation is based on education, skills, experience and other job-related factors.

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for developing and optimizing flavor applications using vanilla extracts, ensuring they perform well in various food and beverage systems. Your role involves formulating, testing, and refining vanilla-based flavors in applications like baked goods, dairy, confections, beverages, and more in our new innovation lab. You’ll collaborate with Quality, Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance, and Customers to create innovative flavor solutions, troubleshoot formulation challenges, and support product development. This candidate will also analyze sensory attributes and stability, ensuring the extracts meet quality and performance expectations.

Key Responsibilities: Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

o Successful completion of all the tasks associated with projects to which the incumbent is assigned including keeping relevant parties informed of project status. This includes, but is not limited to R&D management, business unit management, sales, senior management and customers.

o Develop product concepts to demonstrate flavor creation innovation that supports customer’s requests and market trends.

o Evaluate flavor, create new flavor blends and make recommendations to satisfy project requirements.

o Participation in the sensory evaluation of own and other projects.

o Active participation in taste panels where appropriate.

o Participate in all supplemental tastings of products as needed.

o Effectively interface with such diverse groups as Flavor Chemistry, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Sales Business Unit Management, and Finance.

o Interface with customers through conference calls, video calls, and in-person customer visits and working sessions.

o 10-25% travel to customer meetings, co-packers and industry trade shows to represent Nielsen Massey.

Personal Characteristics:

Intellectual

o Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.

o Design - Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates mindfulness.

o Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations.

o Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

o Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.

Interpersonal

o Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional internal and/or external customer issues. Responds promptly to customer needs. Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

o External Working Relationships – Develops and maintains courteous and effective working relationships with clients, vendors and/or any other representatives of external organizations.

Leadership

o Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.

Organization

o Business Acumen - Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals; Analyzes market and completion and adapts strategy to changing conditions.

o Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures.

o Safety and Security –All employees are responsible for observing safety and security procedures as applicable and reporting potentially unsafe conditions to management.

Knowledge and Characteristics:

MUSTS:

o Education and or Experience: BA/BS degree in technical sciences (Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science, Nutrition, or similar) and 7-10 years of experience in Food R&D.

o Experience working with different food products on a bench top, including but not limited to frozen desserts, baked goods, beverages, etc.

o Proficient in general lab practices.

o Must be able to taste and smell chemicals, flavors and food products.

o Understands USDA/FDA guidelines, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and HACCP food safety practices.

o Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to author routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

o Computer Skills - Should have knowledge of: Database Software (Access); Manufacturing Software; Spreadsheet Software (Excel); Contract Management Systems; Inventory Software; Order Processing Systems; Project Management Software; Word Processing Software (Word); Electronic Mail Software (Outlook); Presentation Software (PowerPoint); and Publisher software.

o Attendance - Must be punctual and prompt in meeting all requirements of performance, including, but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines; beginning and ending assignments on time; and scheduled work breaks; where applicable.

o Physical Demands - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the

employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.

o The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

o Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

o The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

WANTS:

o Experience in a family or privately held business.

Benefits
• 401k Plan and up to 4% company matching
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement or Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – Health, Dependent Care, and Commuter
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Bereavement
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Weekly paychecks
• Rewards & Recognition Programs
• Employee Referral Program
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Annual Bonus Program

THE COMPANY

Website: www.nielsenmassey.com

Nielsen-Massey is a leader in the specialty foods world, specifically in the production and marketing of the world’s finest vanillas and flavors. The company operates a branded consumer goods business (CPG/B2C) as well as a business-to-business (B2B) ingredient and flavor business. The portfolio includes various forms of pure and natural vanilla ingredients, extracts, pastes, and powders plus other flavor extracts to include lemon, almond, chocolate, coffee, peppermint, and rosewater to wholesale, culinary, and industrial customers throughout the world. The global headquarters and state-of-the-art production facility are in Waukegan, Illinois, with an additional plant in the Netherlands. The brand is well established with culinary professionals and big branded players as the premiere vanilla brand in the marketplace while the next phase of growth will come from expanding the brand to a broader base of consumers via an aggressive retail and eCommerce strategy as well as diversifying and expanding the ingredient and flavor business.

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas (NMV) was founded in 1907 and is still owned by three members of the Nielsen family, who work as senior executives at the company. The fiduciary Board is composed of independent directors as well as the three family shareholders. The four independent members all have CEO experience in a variety of industries, including CPG, eCommerce, and Industrial/ Manufacturing.

The Company is committed to sustaining the plants, people and communities that supply their ingredients. Since 1907, NMV has demonstrated its commitment to civic and social responsibility. The company’s Community Relations initiatives encompass three main objectives: building relationships with the communities in which they live and work; showing their commitment through financial contributions to charities in support of education, youth, veterans, and the environment, actively promoting volunteer service among their employees - and demonstrating as a team that they make a difference.

NMV supports approximately 18 organizations that represent their mission-driven values. They published their first annual “Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibilities Report” in 2018. Some past ESG programs include the funding of a new Malagasy school and the construction of a solar-powered water pump in the Madagascar Village that grows Nielsen-Massey’s fair-trade vanilla.

In 2009, The Nielsen-Massey Foundation was created with a mission to assist disadvantaged children and adults with education and leadership development, especially in the field of culinary arts. The Foundation also considers requests for assistance in the development of sustainable environmental practices or for programs benefiting people in countries of need. The Foundation’s board of directors consists of Craig, Beth and Matt Nielsen, third-generation owners of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, and their mother, Camilla.

Throughout its more than 115-year history as a family business, NMV is proudly and fully committed to the ethical way it conducts business, including how employees and customers are treated. As a company, NMV remains committed to honesty and integrity, as well as openness and respect for the rights and interests of its employees. Employees are “treated like family” with generous health care benefits.