Position: Junior Flavorist
Location: Lancaster, PA
Department: Research & Development
Status: Full Time Salaried/Non-Exempt
Our Company
Universal Global Ventures, Inc. (“UGVI”) is a division of Universal Corporation which is headquartered in Richmond, VA. UGVI is a plant-based food ingredients business. UGVI sources and processes vegetable and fruit ingredients as well as flavorings and extracts for food and beverage end markets. The company is focused on the plant-based ingredient processing segment of the agricultural value chain, where we believe we possess significant operational and commercial expertise.
This platform aligns with our parent company’s (Universal Corporation) diversified, global procurement strategy, commitment to supplying high-quality products to our customers, and strong value-added processing capabilities.
Universal Corporation is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, and is the leading global leaf tobacco supplier. Today, we are a global business-to-business agri-products supplier to consumer product manufacturers that sources and processes leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients. Domestically, Universal employs over 1,500 permanent and seasonal workers, and its revenues ending March 31, 2023, were slightly over $2.5 billion.
For more information on our three companies in the ingredients platform, visit our websites at www.fruitsmart.com ; www.silva-intl.com ; www.shanks.com
Summary
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a technical resource for the Universal Ingredients Platform and its customers. This role will support all ongoing R&D work to ensure that all newly developed flavor formulations meet customers’ expectations and product requirements.
What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)
Develops working knowledge of existing flavor formulas through compounding and modification to meet project requirements.Recognizes opportunities to enhance the quality of new and existing products and provides solutions for improvement.Identifies gaps in the flavor portfolio and works to proactively develop new product offerings.Works alongside R&D applications personnel to provide flavor recommendations and sensory guidance for ongoing project work. Provides solutions for flavor formulation adjustments based on product application, cost in use targets, and production efficiency. Maintains a working knowledge of industry regulations as it pertains to country legality, TTB drawback, Organic Compliance, GMO Compliance, Kosher, Halal, etc.Manages sampling and shipment of flavor requests for existing and prospective customers. Coordinates specification testing for all project samples prior to commercialization.Prepares all documents for the commercialization and manufacture of newly approved formulations.Supervises the manufacture of first-make production batches for new products.Serves as a technical resource to operations personnel when reformulation or processing changes are required.Sources raw materials from chemical suppliers for new product development.Provides guidance to QA team regarding raw material and finished good specification deviations, shelf-life extensions, and finished good labeling.Serves as a technical resource to sales staff, evaluating new business opportunities for technical feasibility and determining appropriate products to meet customer needs.Actively assess continuous improvement opportunities and potential formulation cost savings.Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Food Science, or Related Field Minimum of two to five years of flavor development experience as a Flavorist Trainee, Assistant Flavorist, or Junior FlavoristFlavor development and application experience with beverage, juice/fruit-based, baking, dairy, and/or savory products.Proven ability to create new flavor formulations.Strong Project Management skills and experience.Utilization of sensory evaluation techniques and applications.Ability to perform technical assignments and develop innovative approaches to achieve the specified objectives of each project.Product evaluation and reporting of trial results and costs.Ability to prepare all technical and support documentation relevant to bench-top and scale up trials, manufacturing procedures, specifications, & SOP’s.Familiar with food industry practices and procedures, and basic knowledge of GMP’s and HACCP.The successful candidates must be self-motivated, have a positive attitude and work well in a team environment.Prior management experience is a plus.English comprehension including speaking, reading, and writing is required for our business's necessity to ensure a safe and effective work environment.Benefits
We offer a wide range of market-competitive total rewards that include 401(k) match, merit increases, paid holidays, medical, dental, life, vision, and short and long-term disability benefits, to name a few.
EOE M/F/Disabled/Vet Employer
All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
