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Flavorist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Overview As part of the Flavor Innovation and Taste Technology team, you will drive development, application and commercialization of new flavors and taste modulators in support of Pepsi's global ...

Bin Wrangler

Everett, WA · On-site

$19/hr

Coordinate with the Flavorist for flavored coffee handling--ensuring flavored bins are delivered and returned properly. * Coordinate with packaging to cover lines as needed. * Notify the Production ...

Bin Wrangler

Everett, WA · On-site

$19/hr

Coordinate with the Flavorist for flavored coffee handling-ensuring flavored bins are delivered and returned properly. * Coordinate with packaging to cover lines as needed. * Notify the Production ...

Showing results 21-24

Flavorist information

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$90.5K

$121.7K

$155.5K

How much do flavorist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for flavorist in the United States is $121,666.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,000.00 and $137,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a flavorist?

Flavorists are specialized chemists who create and modify flavors for foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and other products. They use their knowledge of chemistry and sensory science to blend natural and artificial ingredients, ensuring that products taste appealing and consistent. Flavorists work closely with food scientists, product developers, and regulatory teams to meet safety standards and consumer preferences. Their expertise is crucial in developing new flavors, improving existing ones, and replicating natural tastes in processed foods.

What does a flavorist do?

As a flavorist, you use your knowledge of essential oils, natural and artificial compounds, and other ingredients to create flavor formulas. Food and beverage companies use these formulas to create new products and improving existing ones, but you also work to duplicate and replace natural flavors that the manufacturing process destroys. In this role, you focus on creating flavors that have a long shelf life, are allergy-safe, and have broad appeal with consumers, and your responsibilities involve performing research in accordance with dietary and safety regulations imposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a flavorist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Flavorist, you need a deep understanding of chemistry, sensory analysis, and food science, often supported by a degree in chemistry, biology, or a related field. Familiarity with gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and flavor formulation software is highly valuable, as are certifications such as Society of Flavor Chemists membership. Creativity, keen sensory perception, and strong communication skills help a Flavorist innovate and collaborate effectively with clients and cross-functional teams. These skills ensure the creation of safe, appealing, and marketable flavors that meet regulatory standards and consumer preferences.

What are some common challenges a flavorist faces when developing new flavors for food and beverage products?

One of the main challenges flavorists encounter is balancing creativity with regulatory and technical constraints. Developing a new flavor often requires close collaboration with food scientists, marketing teams, and regulatory experts to ensure the flavor meets safety standards, aligns with consumer preferences, and is cost-effective for large-scale production. Additionally, flavorists must adjust formulations to accommodate different product bases (like dairy, plant-based, or beverages), which can significantly alter how flavors are perceived. Managing project timelines and responding to iterative feedback from sensory panels are also frequent aspects of the role.

What is the difference between Flavorist vs Food Scientist?

AspectFlavoristFood Scientist
Required CredentialsTypically a degree in chemistry, food science, or related field; specialized training in flavor formulationDegree in food science, chemistry, or microbiology; may include certifications in food safety
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, flavor manufacturing facilities, R&D departmentsFood production plants, research labs, quality assurance settings
Industry UsageDevelops flavors for food, beverages, and confectionery productsDevelops and improves food products, ensuring safety and quality

The main difference is that Flavorists focus on creating and formulating flavors, while Food Scientists work on overall food product development and safety. Both roles require chemistry knowledge and often overlap in food industry settings, but their primary goals differ: flavor creation versus product development and quality assurance.

How much money does a flavorist make?

A flavorist typically earns a median annual salary between $70,000 and $120,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior or specialized flavorists with advanced skills can earn higher salaries, and the profession often requires a background in chemistry or food science along with specialized training.

What cities are hiring for Flavorist jobs?

Cities with the most Flavorist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Flavorist jobs?

The most popular types of Flavorist jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Flavorist jobs?

The top employers for Flavorist jobs are:

What states have the most Flavorist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Flavorist jobs include:

Infographic showing various Flavorist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 8% Contract, and 8% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $121,666 per year, or $58.5 per hour.

Flavorist - Principal Scientist

PepsiCo

Valhalla, NY

$110K - $185K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


PepsiCo rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 904 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

153rd of 443 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Overview

As part of the Flavor Innovation and Taste Technology team, you will drive development, application and commercialization of new flavors and taste modulators in support of Pepsi’s global business growth. Apply flavor knowledge and technical skills to deliver global innovation platforms that are consistent with Pepsi Business Growth Objectives.


Responsibilities
  • Solid understanding of flavor raw materials and flavor creation expertise, as well as experience creating market winning flavors in a variety of beverage systems and other application.
  • Demonstrate strong technical skills, specifically in the creation, optimization, and production of flavors. General knowledge of basic chemistry and food science principles as related to the flavor and beverage industries. 
  • Effectively partner with category teams, product development, regulatory and manufacturing to develop consumer preferred beverage products.
  • Understanding of flavors with modification properties/taste modulation technology and the application of them. Proficient with taste modification tools as they relate to performance, cost, regulatory, etc.
  • Evaluate new raw materials and technologies for use in flavor creation and taste modulation.
  • Successfully transition from bench top prototypes to large scale commercialization in support global growth initiatives. Understand technical roadmaps, quality control principles, hurdles and key challenges, as well final flavors being plant-friendly and sustainable.
  • Design experiments to test hypotheses, collect data and present results to reach business results.
  • Capability to modify existing flavor formulations to deliver specific profiles.  Extensive understanding of flavor delivery systems including emulsions, extractions, and blends as well as their use in beverage.
  • Identify, accelerate, execute market approaches to meet project goals and deliver winning taste profiles to consumers while meeting cost targets.
  • Interface and build strategic networks and effective working relationships with vendors as necessary to support project work. Ability to communicate best practices and stability requirements with flavor vendor partners.
  • Partner with regional teams to develop flavor systems with appropriate stability, cost and regulatory.  
  • Collaborate and work under the guidance of directors and senior flavorists. 
  • Guide training flavorists in learning creative approaches and development for beverage systems including TTB compliant flavors.
  • Develop and mentor direct reports.
  • Provide technical expertise and support to other functional groups within the company such as Quality, Commercialization Engineers, Product Development, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Sensory, and Regulatory

Compensation and Benefits:

  • The expected compensation range for this position is between $110,700 - $185,250.
  • Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
  • Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 12% of annual salary paid out annually.
  • Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
  • In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Qualifications
  • B.S., M.S. or PhD in Food science, chemistry or other related field with minimum 8-10 years of flavor creation experience as .
  • SFC Certified or Apprentice Flavor Chemist required
  • Strong background in flavors for multiple applications strongly preferred
  • Highly motivated, team oriented, and possessing strong communication skills
  • Results-oriented with the ability to manage, balance and prioritize multiple project initiatives to meet business objectives
  • This position is limited to persons with indefinite right to work in the United States


EEO Statement

Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / Age
If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy.
Please view our Pay Transparency Statement

Qualifications:
  • B.S., M.S. or PhD in Food science, chemistry or other related field with minimum 8-10 years of flavor creation experience as .
  • SFC Certified or Apprentice Flavor Chemist required
  • Strong background in flavors for multiple applications strongly preferred
  • Highly motivated, team oriented, and possessing strong communication skills
  • Results-oriented with the ability to manage, balance and prioritize multiple project initiatives to meet business objectives
  • This position is limited to persons with indefinite right to work in the United States

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: FULL_TIME

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About PepsiCo

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated $86 billion in net revenue in 2022, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Industry

Food and drink manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Purchase, NY, US

Year founded

1965