Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

The Work

A Flavorist is a research scientist who develops artificial and natural flavors for food. Flavourists work in laboratories to find and identify unique flavor combinations.

The laboratories are typically equipped with standard kitchen equipment such as microwaves, stoves, blenders, and even complete kitchens.

The job of a Flavorist is to combine different chemicals with everyday food, so it is important that a Flavorist knows how to create specific and desired reactions. The resulting products must taste good, and also be safe for human consumption. This knowledge can only be gained through a combination of academic research work and an intimate knowledge of food.

Flavorists are largely associated with the food industry, but they are not limited to this area. Companies that manufacture cosmetics, hair care products, skin creams and other products hire flavorists to make sure that their products have a pleasant smell.

Flavorists may also work on changing the taste of pharmaceutical products, such as medicines that have bitter tastes.

Companies that produce household products, such as detergents, or floor and window cleaning products, also employ flavour chemists to create and include such flavors as lemon, lavender or beeswax.

The larger production companies may employ their own Flavourist or Chemist in-house, but there are also several  'flavour houses' worldwide that provide consultancy services for small producers seeking specific flavours for thier products.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
• Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
• Develop new or improved ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods, using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences.
• Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, and adherence to government and industry standards.
• Stay up to date on new regulations and current events regarding food science by reviewing scientific literature.
• Evaluate food processing and storage operations and assist in the development of quality assurance programs for such operations.
• Confer with process engineers, plant operators, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems in product development.
• Study the structure and composition of food or the changes foods undergo in storage and processing.
• Seek substitutes for harmful or undesirable additives, such as nitrites.
• Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience.

Further Information

• Flavourist / Food Chemist - from: GroovyCareers [Interview]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

A Flavorist or Food Chemist typically has an undergraduate B.Sc. in chemistry or biology, and may go on to a food-specific area of research (e.g. Food Science) at post-graduate level.

A PhD may be required by some employers in order to obtain a job as a Flavorist.

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Quality management at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Food Science, Horticulture (Food Production), Pre-University Science - Food Science & Nutrition, Nutrition & Dietetics, Applied Science - Nutrition and Health, Pre-University Science & Agricultural Science, Food & Bio Sciences, Animal Science courses at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Lab Tech, Lab Analyst, Lean Sigma management Apprenticeships at NFQ levels 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Food Science, Food Innovation, Agri-Food Production, Food Management and Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Agriculture/Agri-Food Production, Food Science and Management, Food Science & Health, Analytical Chemistry with Quality Assurance, Science - Applied Biology or Applied Chemistry, Science - (Chemistry & Chemical Sciences)  NFQ Levels 7-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development & Associations

Postgraduate Study Options Biosystems & Food Engineering, Global Food Security - Food Safety, Sustainable Resource Management - Policy & Practice, Biosystems & Food Engineering - Research, Food Safety Management, Culinary Innovation & Food Product Development, Engineering - Food Engineering, Science Engineering & Food Science, Chemistry Research, Culinary Innovation & Food Product Development NFQ level 9-10.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €32k - €64k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Sigmar/ Morgan McKinley/ Payscale/ CPL

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels fell between 2021 and 2022, by approximately 3,000 persons, but remained above 2017 levels, resulting in a positive, but below average, annual average growth rate for the five-year period. Employment for this occupation was primarily in industry (accounting for a 60% share of employment). Employment permits issued were across a variety of technician roles (e.g. process, manufacturing, laboratory). The Recruitment Agency Survey identified vacancies for maintenance technicians in manufacturing with electrical/mechanical skills as difficult-to-fill.

Employers (Skills for Growth) experienced difficulties in filling a range of engineering technician roles, including aircraft technicians and manufacturing technicians, particularly for those with digital skills and knowledge of procedures/processes. There was a 3% increase in the number of online job adverts in 2022, driven by increases in electrical/electronic technicians and, to a lesser extent, laboratory technicians.

New apprenticeship registrations for a number of industry related technicians (including lab analysts) have risen strongly since the first of these programmes were introduced in 2017; by 2022 there were 314 new registrations across a range of apprenticeships (lab analyst, manufacturing technology, OEM engineer etc.) up from approximately 100 in 2017. Although demand seems to be lessening for these roles, issues with attracting suitable candidates remain for maintenance and laboratory technicians in particular, at least in the short-term.

• Institute of Chemistry of Ireland

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