Principal Scientist I

Job Summary Are you passionate about creating innovative bakery solutions that help shape the products consumers enjoy every day?

IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products. As a senior Bakery Application Scientist team member, you will serve as a technical leader driving innovative bakery ingredient applications and customer-focused solutions from concept through commercialization.

Food Ingredients: Innovating improved nutritional profiles, better taste and texture, and greater cost efficiency to meet the needs of global food and beverage manufacturers.

The role is based in New Century, Kansas (on-site 5 days/week). Be part of a collaborative, solution-oriented, and growth-focused team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.

Where You Will Make a Difference

• Lead the development of innovative bakery applications utilizing enzyme systems, hydrocolloids, emulsifiers, proteins, texturants, and inclusions.
• Develop technical solutions for customer-driven and market-driven bakery projects from bench-top through pilot plant and commercial-scale production.
• Work with Operations to optimize formulations, processes, and manufacturing performance for new and existing products.
• Drive growth and profitability through collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Product Line Management, and Business Development teams.
• Develop innovative concepts, applications, prototypes, and demonstrations for customers and internal stakeholders.
• Provide technical expertise in ingredient functionality, product development, product improvement, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Translate emerging ingredient science into impactful application, sensory, and technology solutions.
• Deliver technical presentations, demonstrations, and training to customers and internal teams.
• Write comprehensive technical reports and project documentation.
• Monitor food and beverage industry trends and assess opportunities for innovation.
• Support safety and quality initiatives while promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
• Travel approximately 20%–40%, depending on business needs.

What Makes You the Right Fit

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Bakery Science, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in R&D, Product Development, Technical Service, or Applications Development within the bakery industry.
• Strong technical expertise in bakery systems, ingredient functionality, and product development.
• Experience scaling products from laboratory development through commercial manufacturing.
• Strong teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate technical information effectively to all organizational levels and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work successfully in laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing environments.

What Makes You Stand Out?

• Master's degree in Food Science or related discipline.
• Customer-facing applications, technical service, or commercial experience.
• Experience working cross-functionally with commercial and operations teams.
• Strong understanding of emerging bakery trends and ingredient innovation.

Why Choose Us?

• Competitive Benefits (US): Competitive compensation, annual incentive opportunities, and comprehensive health and wellness programs. Our benefit package includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k), vacation, holidays, 16 weeks paid parental leave (maternity/paternity), and an annual bonus plan. IFF was also recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Perks & Benefits.
• Diversity & Inclusion (US): IFF has been recognized previously in the US on the Disability Equality Index® – Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion
• Innovation: Gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies and trailblazing advancements in food ingredients solutions and protection. Meaningful work helping advance solutions for the food ingredients industry.
• Global Collaboration: Be part of a global organization that values innovation, creativity, and collaborating amongst our diverse, cross-functional teams.
• Sustainability: Contribute to solutions that support a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world. IFF was recognized on the Forbes Net Zero Leaders 2026 list within the chemicals/materials sector.

The salary range for this position is $160,000-$175,000 base salary, depending on candidate experience and relevancy to the position and other factors determined by the hiring team in their decision.

For your awareness, IFF has announced its intention to sell its Food Ingredients Business to CVC Capital Partners. The sale is currently expected to close in the first half of 2027, pending regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The Food Ingredient business unit will remain part of IFF until close and, at such time, will transition to CVC Capital Partners. By applying for this position, candidates acknowledge awareness that the role is part of the Food Ingredient business unit and has been identified to transition to CVC Capital Partners.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more