Careers
R&D Product Development Senior Chemist
Ready to take your career to the next level?
Imagine working in a cutting-edge, brand-new facility where engineering,
automation, and modern technology seamlessly come together. At AFF, you won’t
just witness innovation—you’ll be part of it. We’re one of the fastest-growing
companies of the last decade, and we’re just getting started. Our commitment to
excellence, strong family-oriented culture, and passion for hiring top talent
make AFF a standout place to build your future.
Are you a passionate scientist who thrives on innovation,
creativity, and turning ideas into market-ready products? American Fruits &
Flavors is seeking a Senior Chemist to lead the development of
cutting-edge flavors, juice concentrates, and beverage solutions that delight
customers and drive business growth.
In this role, you'll combine science, creativity, and
leadership to develop new products, improve existing formulations, solve
technical challenges, and collaborate directly with customers. From concept to
commercialization, you'll play a key role in bringing innovative products to
life while mentoring fellow chemists and helping shape the future of our
R&D team.
General Description of Duties
The Senior Chemist is responsible for leading product innovation, formulation development, and continuous improvement initiatives for flavors, juice concentrates, and related products. This role combines scientific expertise, creativity, and leadership to develop new products, optimize existing formulations, provide technical guidance to customers and internal teams, and support successful commercialization efforts. The Senior Chemist may also mentor and oversee Product Development Chemists and Laboratory Technicians while driving projects from concept through production.
Essential Job Functions
- Must demonstrate superior creativity skills in product development.
- Originates and/or develops new and/or existing products including Juice Concentrates and Flavors based on defined customer or in‑house requirements with little to no direction or instructions.
- Requires little to no direction or supervision.
- Determines feasibility of certain projects based on production capacity, technology, equipment, and any other potential limitations.
- Performs cost analysis and suggested selling prices on all work performed.
- Creates master formulas and compounding instructions as needed.
- Prepares and revises product specification sheets.
- Contacts customers technical staff to determine customers' requirements with regard to product development and develops products which meet or exceed customer's needs and application.
- Provides technical assistance to customers and brokers.
- Provides on-site technical support to customers for 1 st time productions and/or any required trouble shooting assistance.
- Provides training to all R&D Product Development Chemists.
- Organizes and establishes guidelines, procedures, and policies for all outgoing samples.
- Assists the Q.C. and Production departments in first time production of all new products.
- Assumes responsibility for all sample request inquiries in R&D Product Development Manager’s absence.
- Performs other duties and special projects as required.
- Maintain strong relationships with Quality Control, Analytical, Production, and other departments.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Food Science, or a related field
- Minimum 5+ years of Chemist experience, preferably in food, beverage, flavor, or ingredient development
- Strong analytical, laboratory, and problem-solving skills
- Proven R&D experience developing products from concept to launch
- Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
- Leadership or supervisory experience preferred
- Must be able to lift 25Lbs.