About this role
Our purpose is unlocking the potential of people, nature, and science to nourish the world. We consistently incorporate social and environmental impact into decision making given its importance to the success and profitability to our business.
At Kalsec, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment by embracing the wisdom and strengths that diversity brings.
Job Summary
This role serves as Kalsec's champion for Taste Innovation, both internally and externally, by advancing savory flavor development capabilities and translating market needs into differentiated natural taste solutions. The individual leads the development of innovative savory flavor systems utilizing reaction flavors, top notes, spice extracts, natural products, seasoning concepts, prototypes, and sensory-driven solutions that support business growth. Success in the role is measured through the impact of innovation efforts, including the growth of new products, the strength and quality of the customer project pipeline, increased project conversion rates, and the delivery of maximum return on investment.
Essential Job Responsibilities
- Champion Taste Innovation across Kalsec and with customers by shaping a clear point of view on savory flavor trends, natural products, technologies, applications, and market opportunities.
- Lead the creation of savory flavor systems and customer-ready solutions using reaction flavors, top notes, spice extracts, natural products, seasoning concepts, and prototypes that address food application needs and generate new business.
- Apply technical expertise in flavor chemistry, savory taste modulation, seasoning design, ingredient interactions, sensory science, natural extracts, and food applications to solve customer challenges.
- Develop compelling customer demonstrations, presentations, prototypes, and technical tools that showcase Kalsec's taste innovation capabilities.
- Partner with Sales, Product Management, Applications, Sensory, and R&D to prioritize and execute high-value customer and innovation projects.
- Lead, coach, and develop technical talent supporting savory flavor development, sensory innovation, and customer project execution.
- Advance innovation success by growing new products, strengthening the customer project pipeline, improving conversion rate, and maximizing return on investment from Taste Innovation efforts.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree with 5+ years related experience as an individual contributor and 5+ years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required
- Degree in Food Science, Flavor Chemistry, Chemistry, Culinary Science, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of ten years of food industry R&D experience with demonstrated expertise in:
- Savory flavor development
- Seasoning systems
- Sensory and application work
- Customer collaboration
- Technical leadership
- Experience in a flavor house and/or seasoning company strongly preferred.
- Hands-on expertise working with:
- Reaction flavors
- Top notes
- Spice extracts
- Natural products
- Proven ability to develop and commercialize innovative savory food solutions that meet customer and market needs.
Desired
- Experience with savory food categories, including: Snacks, Meat and poultry, Plant-based foods, Sauces and soups, prepared meals and related savory applications
- Strong ability to translate: Culinary insights, Sensory insights, Natural product expertise, Market trends and customer needs
- Demonstrated success in developing commercially relevant taste solutions that drive customer value and business growth.
This job description is not intended to cover every detail or every aspect of the job identified. Other duties may and will be assigned based upon the workload and needs of the department.
Kalsec® is committed to providing safe food to its customers. This position requires completing annual food safety training. Food safety training is conducted through Kalsec® electronic training program and on-the-job training in each department. The organizational chart identifies personnel responsible for covering food safety responsibilities in the absence of this position.