A Director of Product Development is responsible for directing the overall product development of a business. This may include of developing the company strategy for the product, and collaborating with other directors from the engineering, marketing, sales, and operations departments in order to ensure that the strategy for the product aligns across the business.
Head Flavorist at Sweegen Head Flavorist at Sweegen in Mission Viejo, California Posted in 2 days ago.
Type:
full-time
Job Description:
Sweegen provides taste optimization technologies for food and beverage manufacturers around the world. We are on a mission to reduce sugar, artificial sweeteners, and other unwholesome ingredients in the global diet. Partnering with customers, we create delicious, better-for-you products that consumers love. Sweegen delivers market-leading sugar reduction solutions that customers want, and consumers prefer. The Head Flavorist is a full-time, on-site role based in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, responsible for providing technical and strategic leadership for flavor creation across Sweegen's portfolio of wellness-oriented ingredient technologies. The role leads and develops a team of flavorists and application technologists, driving innovation programs that deliver a robust pipeline of new flavor solutions with collaborators and customers. Qualifications Demonstrated success leading and developing multidisciplinary technical teams, including flavorists, application scientists, and laboratory personnel. Proven track record of delivering innovative flavor solutions from concept through commercialization, with experience managing a high-volume innovation pipeline. Extensive expertise in flavor formulation, raw materials, flavor technologies, and sensory science, particularly for reduced-sugar, natural, and wellness-focused applications. Experience supporting strategic customer accounts and collaborating directly with customers to develop commercially successful flavor solutions. Strong understanding of food and beverage manufacturing processes and flavor performance across multiple application categories. Experience optimizing product development processes, managing multiple concurrent projects, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Working knowledge of global flavor regulations, food safety standards, quality systems, and labeling requirements. Excellent leadership, coaching, and talent development skills with a demonstrated ability to build high-performing technical teams. Strong project management, organizational, and decision-making skills, with the ability to balance innovation, speed, and commercial priorities. Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams, executive leadership, and external customers. Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed to support customers, innovation initiatives, and global collaboration. Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Flavor Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline; Master's degree or equivalent advanced qualification preferred. Certified Flavor Chemist/Flavorist or equivalent industry-recognized qualification preferred. Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in flavor creation and development within the food and beverage industry, including significant experience in beverage and sweet applications.
