Application Scientist

Job Description

Job Description

THE COMPANY 

Website: 

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.

OPPORTUNITY 

Position: Application Scientist

Reports to:  Research & Development Director of Application

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 Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for developing and optimizing food and beverage applications using vanilla extracts, ensuring strong performance across a wide range of systems. The role involves formulating, testing, and refining vanilla-based applications in categories such as baked goods, dairy, confections, and beverages within our innovation lab.

You will collaborate cross-functionally with Quality, Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance, and customers to develop innovative solutions, troubleshoot formulation challenges, and support product development initiatives. The role also includes evaluating sensory attributes and stability to ensure applications meet quality and performance expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

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

• Manage and execute application development projects using vanilla extracts, ensuring timely completion and clear communication of progress to internal stakeholders (R&D, Sales, Marketing, Operations, and leadership) and external customers.
• Develop and optimize food and beverage applications (e.g., baked goods, dairy, confections, beverages) to demonstrate performance and versatility of vanilla extracts in customer-relevant systems.
• Formulate, test, and refine applications to meet customer requirements, processing conditions, and target sensory profiles.
• Evaluate and troubleshoot application performance, including flavor impact, stability, and compatibility within different product matrices.
• Conduct and participate in lab bench evaluations to assess application performance, consistency, and overall quality.
• Support customer projects by providing application guidance, prototypes, and technical recommendations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with teams including Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, and Operations to ensure successful application development and commercialization.
• Interface with customers through technical discussions, presentations, and in-person or virtual working sessions to support application development and problem-solving.
• Travel approximately 10–25% to support customer visits, co-packer trials, and industry events.

Personal Characteristics:

• Intellectual

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and analyzes data; uses experience and judgment to complement data; develops practical workflows and procedures.
• Innovation & Design - Generates creative, application-focused solutions; translates concepts into product prototypes; incorporates feedback to refine outcomes.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves formulation and application challenges in a timely manner; develops practical, effective solutions; collaborates effectively in team-based problem solving.
• Technical Skills - Continuously builds technical knowledge in food and beverage applications; seeks out development opportunities; applies expertise to application development and shares knowledge with colleagues when appropriate.
• Project Execution - Effectively manages assigned projects; prioritizes tasks; communicates progress clearly; delivers results within established timelines.

• Interpersonal

• Customer Focus - Responds promptly to internal and external customer needs; manages technical inquiries professionally; incorporates feedback to improve solutions and service.
• Collaboration – Builds and maintains effective working relationships with internal teams, customers, and external partners; communicates clearly in cross-functional environments.

• Professional Effectiveness
  • Adaptability- Adjusts to changing priorities, customer needs, and project requirements; remains effective in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
  • Initiative- Takes ownership of assigned work; proactively identifies opportunities for improvement in applications and processes.  

• Organizational Awareness
  • Business Acumen - Understands how application work supports customer needs, market trends, and company objectives.
  • Cost Awareness - Works within approved budget; Considers cost implications in formulation and development; works efficiently within project parameters.
  • Safety and Compliance –All employees are responsible for observing safety and security procedures as applicable and reporting potentially unsafe conditions to management.

Knowledge and Characteristics:

MUSTS:

• 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. 
• Experience working with different food products on a bench top, including but not limited to frozen desserts, baked goods, beverages, etc.
• Proficient in general lab practices.
• Must be able to taste and smell chemicals, flavors and food products. 
• Understands USDA/FDA guidelines, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and HACCP food safety practices.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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

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

WANTS:

• 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 Term Disability 
• Weekly paychecks
• Rewards & Recognition Programs
• Employee Referral Program
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Annual Bonus Program