Food Scientist

Position is in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area

Job Summary:

ZoomEssence is a leader in next-generation flavor delivery, specializing in innovative low-temperature drying technology that preserves the freshness, complexity, and impact of high-quality flavors.

We are expanding our Product Development Team in Hebron KY and seeking a hands-on, creative, and meticulous PD Food Scientist to support the development of food-based flavors and finished product concepts. The PD Food Scientist will be responsible for creating food-related application demonstrations using Zoom technology-based flavors. Work closely with flavor chemists and commercial teams to develop, optimize, and apply ZoomEssence dry flavors across a wide range of food applications. This role is responsible for bench development, prototype creation, sensory evaluation, and customer-facing technical support. The ideal candidate is collaborative, curious, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.  Exemplary communication skills, project management skills, and creative development skills are critical for success. The position offers high visibility and the ability to highlight your technical acumen and creativity. A strong process-oriented background & management skills will be critical for success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure laboratory activities meet GLP, GMP, and Safety requirements.
• Responsible for leading and managing projects for Zoom Food customers.
• When needed, collaborate with customers by presenting prototypes, addressing technical questions, and recommending flavor solutions.
• Develop base ingredients (emulsifiers, thickeners, flavor bases) for sauces, dressings, soups, marinades.
• Balance ingredients (fats, acids, emulsifiers, spices) for texture (creamy, pourable) and stability.
• Test and refine how the finished product looks, smells, tastes, and feels (mouthfeel) for demos.
• Prevent spoilage and pathogens through proper process, pH control, and packaging.
• Understand emulsification (e.g., mayonnaise), acid-base balance (vinegar/lemon in dressings), and ingredient interactions.
• Ensure stability against mold, yeast, and bacteria.
• Ability to deliver clear, compelling, and effective technical presentations to audiences that include but are not limited to management, commercial teams, customers, research teams and other stakeholders
• Provide internal technical guidance on flavor performance, formulation trends, and emerging technologies.
• Ensure all project parameters (project timeline, regulatory constraints, pricing, etc.) are achieved; ability to travel to customer visits (~20%).
• Responsible for executing creative demonstrations using Zoom flavors, working closely with Sales and Senior Food Flavorist to develop world class prototypes.
• Responsible for organizing cross-functional Food project kick-off meetings.
• Support Sales initiatives by presenting Zoom flavor capabilities at trade shows.
• Responsible to support Library initiatives and food-related strategic R&D projects.
• Motivated to win business through success with projects and meeting customer needs.
• Self-Starter – Actively seeks new and better ways to perform duties.
• Proficient technical skills with formulation, raw materials, flavors, and product processing.
• Proficient experimental design skills, market product knowledge, and competitive intelligence.
• Proficient with Customer interactions and presentations.
• Utilizes proper electronic record-keeping tools.
• Execute standard batching and/or testing of products and samples.  
• Able to perform simple to complex adjustments or formula modifications.
• May reduce formula costs on existing products.
• Coordinates the shipping of samples and finished products.  
• Completes work on time and accurately.
• Keeps laboratory area stocked with raw materials and cleans/maintains laboratory equipment.
• Shop for market samples and necessary ingredients as needed.
• Able to perform multiple tasks daily, with the flexibility of re-arranging daily workload as needed.
• Manage targeted customer accounts; involved in customer visits both onsite and off-site.
• Follows food safety and food defense procedures as instructed and required.
• Supports site Food Safety and SQF policy.
• Attend all required Food Safety and Personal Safety Training.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in food science preferred
• 10+ years of combined relevant work experience in food product design, formulation, ingredient functionality and interaction, process design, product scale-up, plant testing and commercialization
• Good understanding of fundamental principles of food science and technology, along with standard food micro, lab best practices and procedures
• Knowledge of food industry standards of quality and food safety, GMPs, HACCP, food labeling and FDA/USDA regulations
• General culinary knowledge and passion for global food is beneficial
• Bakery/confection experience a plus

Preferred Qualifications:

·       Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

·       Detail-oriented

·       Responsible for executing multiple projects at a time while meeting project timelines

·       Verbal and written skills

·       Interpersonal and presentation skills a must

·       Analytical and problem-solving skills

·       Understands scientific cause/effect relationships

·       Computer skills

Time management skills