Application Technician

Job Title: Application Technician FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Department: Research & Development Reports to (primary): Manager, Flavor & Culinary Applications

The Applications Technician is responsible for supporting the flavor applications team through hands‑on laboratory preparation, batching, sample management, equipment maintenance, and administrative support for food and beverage application projects. This role works closely with the Manager, Flavor & Culinary Applications, Senior Applications Technologist, Senior Beverage Applications Technologist, and Confections Technologist to assist in product development, customer sample preparation, pilot trials, and day‑to‑day laboratory operations.

The Applications Technician plays a critical role in maintaining an organized, efficient, and food‑safe lab environment while ensuring timely preparation of samples, ingredients, and documentation to support innovation and customer projects.

• Prepare bench‑top samples, formulations, and ingredient weigh‑outs for food and beverage applications projects.
• Assist applications team members with batching, blending, compounding, and sample preparation for customer requests, internal evaluations, and trade shows.
• Support beverage, culinary, confectionery, bakery, dairy, savory, and snack application work through routine laboratory assistance.
• Maintain organized inventories of raw materials, finished samples, flavors, and lab supplies.
• Label, package, and ship customer and internal samples as directed by applications team members.
• Clean, sanitize, and maintain laboratory equipment, utensils, and work spaces in compliance with food safety and GMP standards.
• Assist with pilot plant trials, production scale‑ups, and internal product evaluations.
• Prepare tasting trays, sensory samples, and supporting materials for internal tastings and customer presentations.
• Record and maintain accurate documentation of formulations, sample preparation logs, inventory usage, and test results.
• Receive, organize, and catalog incoming raw materials and vendor samples.
• Monitor laboratory inventory levels and notify management of replenishment needs.
• Support the applications team with administrative and organizational tasks related to projects and sample tracking.
• Assist in maintaining finished product retain systems and sample archives.
• Participate in sensory tastings and evaluation panels as requested.
• Must be comfortable working with allergen‑containing materials and products, including but not limited to dairy, eggs, soy, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame, meat, and seafood applications.
• Follow all safety, food quality, and sanitation procedures within the laboratory and pilot plant environments.
• Collaborate with QA, Regulatory, Operations, and Commercialization teams as directed by senior staff.
• Report food safety, quality, or equipment concerns to appropriate personnel immediately.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the applications department.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management and applications leadership.
• Uphold and demonstrate stated BFI values with respect to all job responsibilities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Culinary Science, Chemistry, or related field preferred.
• 1–3 years of laboratory, food manufacturing, culinary, or applications support experience preferred.
• Experience working in food, beverage, flavor, or ingredient industries is desirable.
• Basic understanding of food and beverage formulations and ingredient handling.
• Ability to accurately weigh, batch, and prepare formulations following written instructions.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced laboratory environment.
• Basic computer proficiency including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability and willingness to learn formulation software, inventory systems, and internal databases.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently while supporting multiple team members and projects simultaneously.
• Flexibility to assist across various application categories including beverages, confectionery, bakery,…