Senior or Principal Scientist - Beverage & Flavor

Senior or Principal Scientist - Beverage & Flavor Applications

Founded in 1954, Vibrant Ingredients is committed to providing innovative clean label solutions that naturally provide exceptional food protection, flavor, color and texture for a variety of applications, including processed and cured meat, beverages, plant-based alternatives, health and wellness, culinary, and pet nutrition. Vibrant Ingredients believes in improving the food and beverages we eat and drink with ingredients from nature that work.

We are a trusted partner to our customers when it comes to innovation and are an industry leader in clean label ingredients. We collaborate with our customers in ways that respect people and the environment, and our commitment to Real. Simple. Better™ drives our innovation team to discover new, on-trend solutions. As a Senior or Principal Scientist – Beverage & Flavor Applications, you will lead the development of innovative tea and beverage systems using cutting‑edge flavor and botanical technologies.

This is a visible, customer‑facing role where you’ll manage end‑to‑end project work—from benchtop formulation to commercialization—and collaborate cross‑functionally with R&D, Sales, Marketing, and Operations to deliver impactful solutions.

• Lead formulation and development of beverage applications, especially tea, botanicals, functional drinks, flavored waters, syrups, and dairy alternatives.
• Develop and optimize extractions from botanicals, teas, and other plant‑based materials to deliver targeted flavor, functionality, and performance.
• Design and run benchtop and pilot‑scale trials using technologies such as Micro Thermics® and other beverage processing systems.
• Translate customer briefs into innovative, scalable beverage and flavor systems.
• Conduct sensory and analytical evaluations to ensure quality, taste, and consistency.
• Act as a technical expert during customer presentations, demo sessions, and plant trials.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure seamless handoff to commercialization and production.
• Stay informed on market trends, customer strategies, competitive landscapes, and new ingredient technologies.
• Support ongoing improvement of lab processes, documentation, and sample inventory systems.

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field. (Master’s/PhD preferred for Principal Scientist level)
• 10+ years of beverage formulation and product development experience; at least 5 years with tea and botanical applications.
• Deep expertise in functional beverages and flavor system development.
• Experience with pilot‑scale processing, sensory analysis, and customer interaction.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and deliver timely results.

• May involve exposure to allergens such as Soy, Wheat, Fish, Shellfish, Milk, Egg, Tree Nuts and Sesame.

• Generous time off for vacations
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Health & Wellness programs

Vibrant Ingredients, headquartered in Lake Mary, FL, is one of the world’s leading independent providers of natural ingredients. With a legacy spanning over 70 years, we deliver a diverse portfolio of clean label ingredients and innovative system solutions to the food and beverage industry. Our commitment to quality and performance is reflected in our American‑made products, which enhance both taste and functionality.

Backed by advanced manufacturing capabilities, we specialize in fermentation, patented cold brew extraction, custom flavor development, and a range of drying and blending technologies. Operating from four state‑of‑the‑art facilities strategically located across the U.S., we ensure the accessibility of real, high‑quality ingredients—helping our customers create better‑for‑you food and beverage for consumers.

Position is classified as on‑site for our Indianapolis Facility.

Employees are eligible to participate in Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401(k), Holidays, Vacation, Tuition Reimbursement Program.

The final salary offered for this position may take into account a number of factors including, but not limited to, location, skills, education, and experience.

Vibrant Ingredients is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse workforce and providing accommodations for people with disabilities in all parts of the hiring process as required under its Employment Accommodation Policy. Vibrant Ingredients will work with applicants to meet accommodation needs that are made known to Vibrant Ingredients in advance.