Senior Scientist - Extraction

About the role

We are seeking a creative and technically accomplished Senior Scientist to help define the future of premium coffee and tea extraction. In this highly visible, hands-on role, you will apply deep expertise in tea and coffee chemistry, sensory performance, and process development to turn complex technical challenges into scalable ingredient solutions with distinctive flavor, aroma, and quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation and development of new coffee and tea extracts, concentrates, essences, and other value-added products.
• Conduct systematic technical assessment of existing processes.
• Redefine process parameters to balance extraction efficiency with preservation of desirable flavor and aroma characteristics.
• Design and execute benchtop and pilot extraction experiments to understand the relationship between raw material characteristics, extraction conditions, processing parameters, and finished product performance.
• Generate high-quality technical data and translate results into clear conclusions and recommendations.
• Work with sensory teams and/or conduct structured sensory evaluations to assess product and process performance.
• Stay current with emerging technologies, competitive products, processing methods, and industry trends related to tea and coffee ingredients.
• Manage and drive projects to a successful outcome.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 10 years of experience in the Food Industry with a proven track record of success in new product development, improving process performance, and product quality.
• Direct experience with coffee/tea/botanical extraction and processing is highly preferred.
• Deep knowledge of manufacturing processes, including extraction, filtration, drying.
• Good project management skills including MS Office (Excel, PPT, Word, etc.)
• Experience and knowledge of a wide range of aqueous extraction and separation technologies including Spinning Cone column, cold brew coffee, filtration, evaporation, drying.
• Hands on experience working with different tea, coffee raw materials and knowledge of their sensory characteristics and extraction behavior.
• Excellent technical execution and project management skills
• Well-developed communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively throughout all levels of the organization.
• Ability to travel up to 25%

Benefits

• Generous time off for vacation
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance
• Health & Wellness programs

This position is currently classified as on-site either in Eustis, Florida, Indianapolis, IN or Vista, California.

Work Environment: May involve exposure to allergens such as Soy, Wheat, Fish, Shellfish, Milk, Egg, Tree Nuts and Sesame.

More about us: Vibrant Ingredients, headquartered in Lake Mary, FL, is one of the world's leading independent providers of natural ingredients. With a legacy spanning over 70 years, we deliver a diverse portfolio of clean label ingredients and innovative system solutions to the food and beverage industry. Our commitment to quality and performance is reflected in our American-made products, which enhance both taste and functionality. Backed by advanced manufacturing capabilities, we specialize in fermentation, patented