Principal Flavorist

Job description

Together We Innovate. Together We Change. Ready to shape the future of flavor innovation? If a strong foundation in flavor systems, ingredients, and technologies is paired with a passion for creating what’s next, this opportunity offers a chance to make a lasting impact. We’re seeking a Principal Flavorist in Richmond, VA to lead the discovery, innovation, and creation of new flavor concepts that power next-generation product development.

This role offers the opportunity to define and develop our focus on building a long-term pipeline through breakthrough products and cross-functional collaboration. This team brings together deep technical expertise to unlock new product spaces, accelerate innovation, and shape the future of the enterprise.

Lead flavor innovation and discovery

• Guide teams in creating breakthrough flavor concepts that unlock new product spaces and fuel long-term innovation pipelines.

Identify emerging trends and technologies

• Continuously explore new flavor technologies and trends, translating them into consumer-relevant innovations and competitive advantage.

Drive insight-led ideation

• Lead cross-functional ideation efforts, turning consumer insights and unmet needs into bold, differentiated flavor concepts.

Uncover new opportunity spaces

• Develop market and competitive insights to identify white space opportunities across product and flavor categories.

Shape next-generation product experiences

• Apply deep technical expertise to design, evaluate, and refine innovative flavor systems for future-focused products.

Advance consumer-centered design

• Guide sensory evaluation and interpretation to ensure flavor solutions deliver compelling, differentiated experiences.

Enable innovation at scale

• Build and evolve infrastructure, tools, and knowledge systems that accelerate innovation and strengthen organizational capability.

Partner to deliver breakthrough outcomes

• Collaborate across R&D, Commercial, and Analytical teams to bring innovative flavor concepts from idea through execution.

Lead regulatory and quality integration for innovation

• Ensure new flavor solutions align with regulatory requirements while enabling speed and agility in development.

Build and grow innovation capability

• Mentor and develop talent, fostering a culture of creativity, technical excellence, and continuous learning.

We Want You to Have

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology or Food Science preferred. Advanced degree or Flavorist Certification preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in the development and knowledge of flavor systems, flavor ingredients, flavor technologies and processes for food, fragrances, and/or pharma industries
• Experience in successfully managing and coaching teams
• In-depth knowledge of flavor creation and development, flavor ingredients, processing aids, suppliers and flavor application equipment and technologies are preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively as the position will represent and advocate for Flavor Development on cross-functional projects.
• Ability to work well with diverse and cross-functional teams
• User of nicotine products is preferred
• Participation in product evaluation is preferred to support Flavor Development initiatives