Laboratory Technician

Job Title:

Laboratory Technician - Flavors

Job Description

This role supports Flavor Chemists in the development and commercialization of flavor systems for a wide range of food and beverage applications. The Lab Technician contributes to flavor creation projects, assists with day-to-day laboratory operations, and independently manages assigned flavor projects by selecting, evaluating, and modifying existing flavor formulations. This position offers hands-on exposure to flavor chemistry, broad involvement across departments, and strong opportunities for professional growth in the flavor industry.

Responsibilities

+ Prepare and compound commercial flavors, concentrates, and key formulations for laboratory development, customer samples, food and beverage applications, and production support.

+ Maintain inventory of flavor raw materials, solvents, aroma chemicals, finished products, and laboratory supplies, ensuring all materials remain properly stocked, labeled, and organized.

+ Manage and maintain project documentation, formulation records, flavor databases, and vendor information to ensure accurate and up-to-date records.

+ Select and recommend appropriate flavor profiles for specific food and beverage applications based on project requirements and sensory performance.

+ Gather, organize, and maintain regulatory and compliance information related to flavor ingredients and raw materials.

+ Collaborate with internal departments such as Sales, Quality, Procurement, and Applications to support business objectives and project timelines.

+ Build and maintain productive relationships with raw material suppliers and external partners to support flavor development and procurement needs.

+ Coordinate procurement of laboratory supplies and materials to ensure uninterrupted laboratory operations.

+ Prepare, package, and ship flavor samples in response to customer requests and internal evaluation needs.

+ Conduct analytical and sensory testing of finished flavors, including evaluations such as specific gravity, refractive index, pH, and organoleptic assessments.

+ Partner closely with Flavor Chemists to evaluate, refine, and optimize flavor formulations based on analytical results and sensory feedback.

+ Develop a strong understanding of flavor raw materials, including their attributes, functionality, and applications in different product matrices.

+ Review formulations to verify compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and industry standards.

+ Conduct ingredient and market research to stay informed about emerging technologies, trends, and new ingredient offerings relevant to flavor development.

+ Catalog and organize new flavor developments for customer submissions and internal reference libraries.

+ Coordinate sensory evaluations and organoleptic assessments of new and existing raw materials.

+ Facilitate informal sensory panels and assist with the collection, documentation, and interpretation of sensory feedback.

+ Support Applications Technologists in preparing product prototypes and conducting application trials for customer and internal projects.

+ Ensure laboratory equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, cleaned, and operated according to established procedures.

+ Maintain a clean, safe, and organized laboratory environment, including routine cleaning of work spaces, equipment, and glassware.

+ Perform additional laboratory and flavor development duties as assigned to support overall project and business needs.

Essential Skills

+ Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or equivalent work experience.

+ Approximately 2 years of laboratory compounding experience, preferably in food, beverage, or flavor applications.

+ Hands-on experience in laboratory operations, including compounding, weighing, measuring, and handling chemicals and flavor ingredients.

+ Knowledge of basic flavor raw materials and relevant regulations governing their use.

+ Strong sensory skills, including the ability to accurately evaluate smell and taste in a variety of flavor systems.

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Experience with chemical handling and basic chemical processing in a laboratory environment.

+ Proficiency with documentation processes and data entry to…