Senior Food/Beverage Technologist

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Technologist with one position available in Beverages and another in Food. This role is pivotal in the development of projects that highlight new flavors in high-quality, creative finished beverage and food products. You will be at the forefront of utilizing the latest flavor trends, best-in-class market launches, sensory capabilities, data processing, consumer insights, and technical information tailored to individual markets.

Responsibilities

Create finished food and drink products and develop transferable food and beverage technologies.Lead and direct beverage flavor innovation, including prototypes and providing beverage specifications, processes, documentation, and finished product samples such as wine, alcohol, bottled water, and non-alcoholic drinks.Identify and provide flavor, ingredient, and concept ideas for market launches and trends.Support beverage innovation by developing and transferring formulations for technology flexibility, product launches, and new beverage flavor innovation teams.Collaborate and direct beverage flavor innovation teams for strategic launches and trends.Analyze and provide beverage flavor innovation insights and develop finished product prototypes using sensory, market insights, technical, and sales data.Provide support and documentation for beverage flavor innovation launches, samples, and finished products.Analyze and verify lab, technical, and sensory data.Provide support and technical direction in developing and producing beverage innovation launches of finished beverage prototypes, including managing new products and new processes.

Essential Skills

8-10+ years of experience in the Food and Beverage industry.Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field.Specific experience in beverage and food development.Strong skills in food manufacturing, laboratory testing, and development.Proficiency in Biology and Chemistry.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Leadership experience in a food and beverage environment.Expertise in flavor innovation.Experience in technology management and sales.

Work Environment

The role is set in a lab environment where you will work in a small, intimate team, mixing flavors and developing products. Employees gain exposure to the entire lifecycle of a flavor, collaborating directly with customers to create the perfect product. This position offers a unique opportunity to work in a family-owned company.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Newport News, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.80 - $48.07/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Newport News,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Feb 28, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.