Senior Applications Scientist Colors CD&D - Erlanger, KY

Job Description

Senior Applications Scientist Colors CD&D - Erlanger, KY

Position Overview:
The Senior Scientist, Color Applications will serve as a technical expert in applying naturally derived colors across diverse food and beverage systems. Working within a leading color ingredient supplier, this role focuses on evaluating color performance, stability, and sensory impact in real-world applications and supporting customers as they transition from synthetic (FD&C) colors to alternatives from natural sources.
The ideal candidate combines deep technical knowledge of food science and color behavior with strong customer-facing skills to deliver practical, innovative solutions that meet both regulatory and consumer expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Application Development & Testing
  • Design and execute experiments to evaluate the performance of naturally-derived colors in various food and beverage matrices (i.e. beverages, cereals, confections, dairy, baked goods, savory products, etc), including visual performance, taste, potential interactions with other ingredients, etc.
  • Assess color stability under different processing, pH, light and storage conditions.
  • Generate data and technical insights to guide formulation recommendations for customers.
  • In partnership with Color Scientists, may develop color formulations to meet performance requirements in target applications.
• Customer Collaboration & Support
  • Partner with customer to facilitate Concept-through-Commercialization project management, as customers shift away from FD&C Colors
  • Work directly with CD&D and customers’ product development teams to identify suitable color solutions for their applications.
  • Provide technical guidance during reformulation projects converting FD&C colors to natural sources.
  • Conduct on-site trials, demonstrations and troubleshooting as needed.
• Technical Communication
  • Translate complex technical findings into clear, actionable recommendations for both internal teams and external customers.
  • Prepare application reports, presentations and technical documentation to support sales and marketing efforts.
• Cross-Functional Partnership
  • Collaborate with internal CD&D, Regulatory, Marketing and Commercial teams to ensure proposed color solutions meet performance, compliance and customer expectations.
  • Contribute to the development of technical training materials and best-practice guides for color use.
• Innovation & Market Insight
  • Stay current on emerging trends in color technology, clean-label reformulation and consumer preferences.
  • Identify opportunities to expand application knowledge and improve the performance of existing color products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in food and beverage product development or applications science, preferably within an ingredient or color supplier environment.
• Strong understanding of color chemistry, food formulation and processing interactions affecting color performance.
• Demonstrated ability to design and interpret application trials and communicate results effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience supporting customers through reformulation or conversion projects from synthetic to natural ingredients.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and project management skills.

Preferred Attributes

• Familiarity with global regulatory frameworks for colors and additives.
• Experience with analytical and color measurement tools (spectrophotometry, colorimetry, etc).
• Practical knowledge of ingredient interactions (proteins, emulsifiers, acids, etc.) affecting color stability.
• Strong customer orientation and ability to thrive in a collaborative, solution-driven environment.

Working Conditions

• Laboratory and pilot-scale testing environment with periodic travel (up to 20%) to customer sites and trade shows.

Before applying for an exempt, non-exempt or hourly job opportunity, you are expected to initiate a discussion and share your intentions with your supervisor.  * If you’ve been in your current position for more than 18 months, supervisor approval is not required.  * If you’ve been in your current position for less than 18 months, verbal supervisor approval is required.  
​Hiring Manager- Jessica Kidwell   ​
Recruiter- Sapna Upadhyay

 

City

Erlanger

State

KY - Kentucky

Location Country

United States

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