Vice President, Innovation, Food & Beverage

About us:

Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances and flavors, cosmetic active ingredients as well as functional ingredients. Its customers include perfume, cosmetics, food and beverage manufacturers, the pharmaceutical industry and producers of dietary supplements and pet food.

With sales of around €4.9 billion in the 2025 financial year, the company is one of the world's leading providers. The Group, headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, has more than 100 locations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, the USA and Latin America.

Together with its customers, Symrise develops new ideas and market-ready concepts for products that form an indispensable part of everyday life. Economic success and corporate responsibility are inextricably linked.

Symrise - always inspiring more...

Your role:

As the VP Innoation, Food & Beverage you will plan, implement, coordinate, manage, and expand the Analytical, Sensory, Taste Modulation, Innovation and Technical Service groups for Food & Beverage NA. Implement and expand the Center of Expertise (CoE) for Citrus and Culinary as part of Symrise's global research strategy. Build up and manage Symrise's NASC Project Management system for long-term development projects. Represent Symrise at customers. Represent Symrise in various FEMA work groups. The duties of the position include the facilitation of an efficient know-how transfer within the Symrise world. This includes the transfer of formulas where required and appropriate.

Your responsibilities will include the following:

• Identify new research projects and develop new products in coordination with the requirements of the business units and according to the overall global research plan.
• Build up and manage NASC Project management for long-term development projects.
• Identify and implement new technologies to build up and expand the CoE for Citrus and Culinary.
• Plan and equip laboratories and pilot and CoE for Citrus and Culinary.

Help to transfer newly established technologies from laboratory to manufacturing.

• Present and demonstrate new products, technologies and other scientific knowledge to technical personnel in the Food & Beverage Division.
• Discover and evaluate new technologies in the outside world and assess their value to Symrise.
• Help to develop and link Symrise's global sensory capabilities.
• Present Symrise's R&D capabilities in order to help generate new business and establish the company's technology image.
• Manage Technical Service Unit (Formula Administration, Raw Materials Administration) and maintain customer satisfaction level for documentation.
• Manage Raw Material Harmonization Team in the NA region.
• Participate in Global Raw Material Team to achieve Symrise's raw material goals.
• Support Symrise Mexico with all R&D activities that apply, in particular for Technical Service and Sensory.
• Train and supervise the staff of Analytical, Citrus, Culinary, Taste Modulation , Innovation and Technical Service groups.
• Initiate and support continuous training of key technical personnel.
• Facilitate know-how transfer and transfer of formulas as defined by Corporate Rules.
• Represent Symrise in FEMA committees, in particular International Regulatory Affairs Committee (IRAC) and Science Committee.

The Vice President of Innovation must be creative and analytical in solving the day to day problems associated with investigating and developing natural ingredients and technologies. The job also includes developing job descriptions for R&D staff, assigning tasks, personnel scheduling and solving those problems inherent with getting things done through people. The job requires very good communication and people skills. Incumbent must be resourceful in attaining information and assistance when needed in solving problems related to facilities, equipment and personnel.

About you:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Food Chemistry, or a related subject
• 10+ years of experience in the field of flavors and must have experience in successfully leading large teams of professionals
• Professional project management experience is required
• Knowledge in food and flavor regulatory matters is advisable
• Excellent presentation and managerial skills as well as the willingness and ability of national/international travel are required

Our offer:

Become part of our open and transparent culture. It will give you the opportunity to flourish and to develop inspiring experiences that contribute to the health and well-being of consumers in 160 countries around the world. Putting our employees in focus fuels our strong company growth above market rates and makes us an excellent place to develop your career.

Come join us and embark on a fascinating journey with Symrise.

If you feel that you fit the above criteria, then please apply by using our online application system. Your application will be treated confidentially.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin or any other basis protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit and business necessity.

Pay Transparency Disclosure: The expected annual salary range for this position is USD 243000.00 - USD 297000.00. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and company performance.