Role description
This trainee position offers a unique opportunity to explore an industry where creativity meets science and sensory expertise. As a Flavourist Trainee, you will develop the knowledge of a professional flavourist and the skills to create new taste solutions and experiences.
Over the course of the three-year program, you will gain creative and analytical skills through direct involvement in customer projects, providing you with hands-on experience in flavour development and formulation.
The trainee program includes various phases such as raw material identification, flavour creation techniques, foundational training in relevant raw material and flavour technologies, as well as technical product knowledge for applications in the F&B industry. You will also learn the basics of flavour analysis and the analysis of food and beverage products.
During the program, you will gain valuable insights into departments such as R&D, Production, Quality Control, Sales, and Marketing. Additionally, you will gain international experience and receive guidance and support from experienced senior flavourists throughout the program.
Your Mission
* Familiarization with our raw material portfolio, flavour technologies, and the fundamentals of flavour development – including trial blends based on your own recipe creations.
* Support in development projects, including your own formulations within innovation and customer projects that meet the technical, regulatory, market-specific, and sensory requirements defined in the project brief.
* Collaboration with the applications and development teams to create successful, product-integrated flavour solutions.
* Optimization and development of flavours using analytical and sensory test data – including chromatographic analyses (especially GC-MS) from the Flavour Analytics and Sensory & Consumer Science departments.
* Tasting and sensory evaluation of final products together with internal and external project stakeholders.
* Adapting flavours to specific technological requirements, regional market demands, or individual customer specifications.
* Support during customer visits, both domestically and internationally.
* Collaboration with the Sales, Innovation, and Product Management teams.
* Sensory evaluation and tasting of flavours from our portfolio for application in specific customer projects, in cooperation with the Sales team.
* Participation in creative workshops and product portfolio reviews to continuously enhance our product range.
* Support in managing the raw material portfolio, including participation in sensory panels to select new ingredients and technologies.
* Contribution to and documentation within Knowledge and Innovation Management.
Minimum Qualifications
* Completed vocational training in food or chemistry, or a comparable qualification with relevant professional experience.
* Pre-existing knowledge of the food & beverage sector; familiarity with flavours is a plus.
* Strong sensory skills and genuine interest in sensory science.
* High level of creativity, initiative, and a hands-on mindset.
* Strong sense of responsibility, reliability, and excellent organizational skills – including the ability to prioritize and manage project timelines effectively.
* Well-organized fast learner with the ambition to continuously develop new skills.
* Ability to make sound decisions and adapt in a dynamic environment under tight deadlines.
* Team player with the ability to work successfully in a multicultural and fast-paced team environment.
* Confident use of common MS Office programs and general IT affinity.
* Excellent communication skills & fluency in English & German.
Preferred Qualifications
* Knowledge and understanding of local and regional regulations.
* Ability to assess data from Chromatography (e.g. GC-MS) and other analytical tools.
* Experience working with customers at all project levels (briefs, panels, modifications)
Why you'll love working here
* Exciting tasks in an internationally operating, growing family business with flat hierarchies
* Flexible working hours and 30 days paid vacation per year
* Salary bands for a fair corporate culture
* Monthly allowance of €50 for your BAV
* Annual 360° feedback loops with clear promotion criteria and an individual career path
* Responsibility from day one in a company that encourages personal responsibility and growth
* Regular company events such as summer party, Christmas party
* Paid team dinners or activities for each team twice a year
* Free parking right outside the door
* Perks and benefits: JobRad, subsidized lunch, subsidy for the Deutschlandticket, free language courses and discounted memberships at several gyms and for the Wellpass
* Fresh fruit, free drinks and snacks in the office
About us
Senovia is an internationally oriented, globally leading, medium-sized company in the chemical industry, specialized in the development and production of flavors. For over 65 years, we have been developing customized product solutions in collaboration with our customers from our location near Hamburg. As an expanding and agile company with a highly motivated team, we are continuously growing and looking for new team members.