Application Scientist III

At Prinova, our passion for food knows no bounds! With a rich history spanning over four decades in the food industry, we have established ourselves as a trusted global supplier and manufacturer of functional food ingredients, flavors, and aromas. With CUSTOMER FOCUS as our central core value, we put pride in our work to ensure the end user has a quality product.

For the past four years, Prinova has proudly received national acclaim as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in the Nation, a testament to our status as an exceptional employer.

Guided by the renowned FISH® philosophy, we prioritize creating meaningful work interactions, fostering community engagement, and empowering professional growth, ensuring a remarkable and fulfilling experience for our team members.

Applications Scientist III

Department: Flavors, R&D

Location: Carol Stream, IL

Type: Exempt

Summary:

Manage flavor application projects from conception to completion by gathering project objectives from sales, completing projects within the customer’s specified time frame, and performing necessary revisions once feedback is received. Provide technical support and lead training to the sales representatives and customers to achieve the product development goals of projects and an understanding of our product line.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned

Complete customer projects as assigned - including but not limited to:

Manage multiple application projects and record all activities in project management database ( Salesforce.com)

Develop flavor and sweetener systems in finished product prototypes for customers that coincide with their cost parameters and performance expectations

Assess the applicability of new flavor ingredients (i.e. sweetness enhancers and sodium reducers) and determine effectiveness and potential new and existing product applications

Conduct sensory testing in order to ensure product performance

Aid customers with product development across various sports nutritional products, bakery, confections, beverages, and any other products that flavors can be incorporated into in order to promote flavors and other Prinova ingredients

Travel as needed (up to 25%) with sales force in order to present completed projects, show flavor promotional items, provide technical support, and to help uncover new flavor opportunities

Facilitate and lead customer derived presentations with or without sales managers

Provide technical flavor training to sales team and lead Applications Capabilities presentations

Coach and mentor junior application scientists and technicians

Analyze marketing reports and collaborate with the marketing team in order to develop flavor promotional kits/materials and also concepts to present at national tradeshows

Maintain relationships with various flavor and ingredient suppliers

Work directly with customers when needed in order to achieve quick project turnaround

Evaluate and select appropriate flavors for sample requests based on MOQ requirements, application, and cost parameters

Modify flavor formulas as necessary in order to accommodate customer requests

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities but may include direct reports in the future

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s degree (B.S. in Food Science or related area)

Minimum of 7 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience in the flavor applications area

Required Skills/Abilities:

Extensive experience at presenting to customers and prospective customers

Strong collaboration ability to act as liaison to counterparts in Solutions R&D and Flavorists

A proactive, independent worker able to complete tasks with minimal supervision

Has strong analytical skills with demonstrated technical competence and initiative

Basic knowledge of flavors and flavor applications

Ability to manage multiple projects and drive deadlines

Works effectively with people from varying functions and levels

Excellent verbal, written, and oral communication

Travel:

Flexibility to travel approximately 25%

Work Conditions & Physical Requirements:

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.

Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

Work environment is normally in an office setting. Must be able to make frequent rounds in a warehouse environment

Ability to view a computer screen and type for extended hours

Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time

Other physical requirements include moderate standing and occasional squatting, bending, and twisting

Ability to stand for an extended periods of time

Must be able to wear any required PPE such as scrubs, hair net, lab coat, and facemask

Ability to work around a variety of different smells and aromas

Ability to adjust work schedule as business needs require.

Quality/Safety Responsibilities:

All Prinova employees are required to ensure compliance standards with food safety, food defense and food quality. (FDA, ILDPH, FSMA and BRC).

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with occupational safety and health standards issued under OSHA and to follow all rules, regulations, and procedures established by the Company to ensure that their actions do not impact the health and safety of themselves or others.

Quality/Safety Responsibilities:

All Prinova employees are required to ensure compliance standards with food safety, food defense and food quality. (FDA, ILDPH, FSMA and BRC).

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with occupational safety and health standards issued under OSHA and to follow all rules, regulations, and procedures established by the Company to ensure that their actions do not impact the health and safety of themselves or others.

Competitive Pay – $80,000-$100,000 annually

Experience, education, geographic location and shift all taken into consideration.

Benefits:

Medical

Dental

Vision

STD

LTD

HSA.

FSA

PTO

Life Insurance

401(k) & Roth with employer match

Eight Paid Holidays + 2 Floating Holidays a year

Voluntary - Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident

Personal growth including training and development opportunities