Technical Development Assistant Jobs in Illinois

This role is combined to demonstrate a career path from R&D Technician to Technical Sales Associate. This role will allow the employee to develop both technical experience and customer-facing skills over time.

R&D Technician / Technical Sales Associate

This role is combined to demonstrate a career path from R&D Technician to Technical Sales Associate. This role will allow the employee to develop both technical experience and customer-facing skills over time.

Position Summary:

The R&D Technician / Technical Sales Associate is responsible for supporting flavor development, product evaluation, customer projects, and technical sales activities. This position is designed as a developmental role that begins with hands-on laboratory, formulation, and product development responsibilities and progresses into customer-facing technical sales support. The employee will gain a comprehensive understanding of flavor creation, manufacturing processes, quality standards, and customer applications, ultimately serving as a technical resource for both internal teams and customers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Research & Development Functions

• Compound flavor formulations, samples, and prototypes according to established procedures with high accuracy.
• Lab experience (chemistry, food science, biology is most relevant)
• Support flavor development projects by accurately weighing, blending, and documenting ingredients.
• Conduct product evaluations, sensory testing, and comparative analyses.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, supplies, and inventory.
• Record experimental data, observations, and results in company databases and documentation systems.
• Collaborate with Flavorists and R&D staff to optimize flavor performance and functionality.
• Assist with preparation of trials.
• Prepare, maintain and ship customer sample requests
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to flavor development and laboratory processes.
• Assist in developing application-specific flavor solutions for various food and beverage categories.

Technical Sales Associate Functions

• Assist the sales team in identifying opportunities for new business and account growth.
• Serve as primary contact to Tier 2 and 3 customers
• Provide technical support to customers regarding purchase orders, flavor applications, and production trials.
• Participate in customer meetings, presentations, and product demonstrations.
• Coordinate customer sample requests and project follow-up activities.
• Maintain effective communication between sales, customer service, quality and R&D
• Collaborate on strategic projects aimed at expanding product offerings and customer relationships.
• Participate in trade shows, industry events, and customer visits as needed.
• Help develop and maintain strong customer relationships through technical expertise and responsive service.

Cross-Functional Responsibilities

• Serve as a liaison between R&D lab and Sales Team
• Support internal project reviews, customer presentations, and commercialization efforts.
• Adhere to all company safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrate professionalism, teamwork, and a customer-focused mindset.
• Contribute to departmental and company goals through innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no direct supervisory responsibility

Qualifications: To perform the job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The potential candidate will be detailed-oriented, creative and artistic, be a pragmatic problem solver, enjoy working in a team environment. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: An associate or bachelor’s degree in food science and or experience in flavor or food application laboratories. Additionally, strong language, mathematical, reasoning and computer skills are desired.

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze and interpret quality information. Strong capabilities in presentation skills to articulate quality information to other internal departments.

Mathematical Skills: Strong aptitude in dealing with figures, understanding formulas and amounts.

Computer Skills: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Windows-based operating systems and database software.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to lift a minimum of 50 pounds unassisted.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is exposed to airborne particles and minimal odor. The noise level in the environment is moderate.

This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive stands of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor.

H.B. Taylor Co. is a rapidly growing vertically integrated manufacturer of flavors, colors and specialty products. With over 70 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, H.B. Taylor Co. is recognized by our customers and our peers as a world class partner. We operate out of two facilities in Chicago, IL and Calumet City, IL providing manufacturing excellence and best-in-class quality and customer service.