Research & Development Manager – Flavor Applications

Our client is a well-established and highly respected international flavor manufacturer seeking an experienced Research & Development Manager to lead its R&D team in the Tampa, Florida area.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for an individual who is passionate about flavor innovation, enjoys working directly with customers and commercial teams, and thrives in a fast-paced environment where creativity and technical expertise come together. The successful candidate will lead a multidisciplinary team of four flavor scientists while driving new product development, customer solutions, and strategic innovation initiatives.

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of four flavor scientists with diverse technical backgrounds.
• Drive innovation through the development of new flavor concepts and applications aligned with emerging market trends.
• Partner closely with Sales, Marketing, and customers to create customized flavor solutions.
• Manage multiple customer-driven development projects from concept through commercialization.
• Serve as the technical leader during customer meetings, presentations, and product demonstrations.
• Provide technical oversight for flavor applications, product development, and innovation initiatives across multiple food and beverage categories.
• Evaluate new ingredients, technologies, and processing methods to improve product performance and expand capabilities.
• Prioritize departmental workload, allocate resources, and ensure projects are completed on schedule.
• Foster a collaborative, creative, and high-performing R&D culture focused on continuous improvement.
• Work cross-functionally with Regulatory, Quality, Operations, and Commercial teams to successfully launch new products.

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline (Master's degree preferred).
• 7+ years of food or beverage product development and flavor applications experience within the flavor, ingredient, or food manufacturing industries.
• Previous experience managing or leading technical teams.
• Strong background in customer-facing flavor applications and product development.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and project management skills.
• Passion for innovation and developing creative solutions that help customers succeed.

• Experience working for a flavor house or ingredient manufacturer.
• Expertise in sweet and/or savory flavor systems.
• Strong understanding of food processing, ingredient functionality, and commercialization.
• Proven ability to translate customer needs into commercially successful products.

• Lead a multidisciplinary R&D team and play a key role in shaping the organization's innovation strategy.
• Make a direct impact on new product development and customer success.
• Join a collaborative organization that values technical expertise, creativity, and continuous improvement.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.
• Opportunity to work in the Tampa, Florida area, one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.

If you're an innovative R&D leader with a strong flavor applications background and a passion for leading technical teams, we'd love to speak with you about this opportunity.