Food Scientist

Food ScientistThis role focuses on developing and formulating innovative flavors that support customer requests and product innovation initiatives within the food, beverage, and flavor industry. The Food Scientist creates flavor concepts for trade shows, customer presentations, and marketing projects while ensuring all work meets food safety, quality, and regulatory standards. The position also provides technical support to internal and external stakeholders and contributes to continuous improvement through research, training, and mentorship.ResponsibilitiesDevelop and formulate new flavors to support customer requests and product innovation initiatives in the food, beverage, and flavor industry.Create compelling flavor concepts for trade shows, customer presentations, and marketing projects.Research market trends and evaluate new flavor ingredients and flavor chemicals to inform innovation and product development.Reverse engineer competitive products and duplicate existing flavor profiles to support strategic initiatives.Modify existing formulas to meet customer requirements, regulatory expectations, and application performance goals.Provide technical support to customers and internal sales teams, including guidance on flavor selection, formulation, and application.Train and mentor R&D team members to build technical capability and support knowledge sharing within the department.Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), food safety regulations, and quality standards.Apply principles of microbiology and chemistry to support flavor stability, shelf life, and food safety in formulations.Participate in ongoing professional development and industry training to stay current with emerging technologies, regulations, and market trends.Essential Skills5+ years of experience in flavor creation, formulation, or product development within the food, beverage, or flavor industry.Certification from The Society of Flavor Chemists or The British Society of Flavorists.Strong knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), quality systems, and food safety regulations.Proficiency in food science and research and development (R&D) methodologies.Solid understanding of microbiology principles related to flavor stability, shelf life, and food safety.Strong foundation in chemistry as it relates to flavor development and performance.Ability to reverse engineer competitive products and replicate flavor profiles accurately.Capability to modify and optimize formulas to meet customer and application performance requirements.Effective communication skills for providing technical support to customers and internal sales teams.Ability to train and mentor R&D team members and contribute to a collaborative team environment.Additional Skills & QualificationsBachelor's degree in Food Science, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related scientific field.Experience presenting flavor concepts for trade shows, customer meetings, and marketing initiatives.Familiarity with evaluating new flavor ingredients and flavor chemicals in line with market and regulatory trends.Commitment to ongoing professional development and participation in industry training.Strong attention to detail and adherence to SOPs, quality standards, and documentation practices.Work EnvironmentThis is a flexible, full-time role with standard daytime hours. Typical schedules include either 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., providing some flexibility in start and end times. The position operates within a leading flavor-focused organization, working closely with R&D, quality, and commercial teams in a laboratory and application environment that emphasizes food safety, quality systems, and compliance with GMPs.Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Commerce, CA.Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $53.00 - $62.50/hr.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Commerce, CA.Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.About ActalentActalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.