About Imbibe
Imbibe is a dynamic, high-growth food and beverage development company based in Niles, Illinois. We specialize in developing, creating, and manufacturing beverage flavors, ingredient systems, and finished food and beverage products. Our mission is to design ingredients with impact for the food and beverage industry.
Since our founding in 1963, Imbibe has been at the forefront of flavor innovation and product development. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including full product development, taste modulation, and finished product solutions. Our state-of-the-art campus features an Innovation Center and Pilot Plant that enable us to tackle industry-wide taste and texture challenges, ensuring that our clients receive the highest quality products.
At Imbibe, we pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to continuous improvement. Our values of collaboration, accountability, and entrepreneurship drive us to deliver exceptional results for our clients. We also believe in giving back to the community. Through various initiatives we support efforts to combat food insecurity in the Chicagoland area by donating ingredients and our time.
If you're passionate about the food and beverage industry and eager to make a meaningful impact, Imbibe is the place for you. Let's create something extraordinary together!
The Flavor Compounder supports our Flavorists with daily functions by compounding and batching flavor formulas; testing and analyzing the flavors; maintaining flavor lab inventory of raw materials, ensuring supplies are available and that lab is well-maintained, clean, and presentable.
Essential Job Duties
- Assist Flavorists as needed.
- Precisely follow flavor formula batch instructions to compound and batch flavors (6 flavors / flavor base oils per day).
- Gather analytical information, including specific gravity and flashpoints of flavors.
- Maintain inventory and ensure that flavor ingredients and raw materials are within shelf life.
- Operate and maintain lab and pilot plant equipment – homogenizer, spray drier, ribbon blender, as needed.
- Check and restock flavor lab supply of raw materials, including but not limited to pipettes, solvents, and lab supplies as needed.
- Prepare stock solutions: (syrup bases, citric acid solution, sodium benzoate solution, chemical dilutions, etc.)
- Prepare flavor samples to be shipped to the customer.
- Maintain a safe, clean, and well-organized work environment and follow good manufacturing practices.
- Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.
- This role does not include supervisory or management responsibilities.
Minimum Qualifications
- A team player with a strong work ethic who is willing to do what it takes to support the development and launch of new products on tight timelines in a fast-paced environment.
- High school diploma or GED equivalent.
- Ability to adapt to the changing needs of the lab.
- Attention to detail and ability to accurately follow batching instructions.
- Constantly in an upright position for around 6 hours a day and frequently moves about the laboratory and office spaces.
- May occasionally need to move, lift, or transport containers of ingredients weighing up to 50 lbs.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office software products including Outlook, Excel, and Word.
- This position requires the use of personal protective equipment and clothing, including but not limited to lab coats, safety glasses, gloves, face masks, respirators, ear protection, etc.
Preferred Qualifications
- 1-2 years of experience as a compounder in a flavor or pharmaceutical lab is preferred.
- Experience working with food and beverage processing equipment is a plus.
- Experience working in the food or beverage industry is a plus.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, Office, and PowerPoint
- Must understand material and equipment hazards and perform duties in a safe manner utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment.
Working Conditions
- This is a full-time laboratory position.
- This position requires the handling of food grade chemicals and ingredients for food and beverage with strong odors.
- Typical office setting for most desk work and paperwork including use of standard office equipment.
- Typical food/beverage laboratory and pilot plant setting for all hands-on development work including the use of standard laboratory equipment.
- Exposure to food and beverage product tastings which may include allergens.
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range listed represents the expected earnings for this role. The low end of the range reflects the starting salary for candidates with less experience or qualifications that meet the basic requirements for the position. The high end of the range reflects potential earnings for candidates with extensive experience, specialized skills, or qualifications above the standard requirements for the role.
Imbibe supports employee well-being and professional growth by offering a comprehensive benefits package that includes the following:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care
- 401k retirement plan with company contribution and match
- FSA and HSA account
- Generous company holidays, PTO, and sick time
- Onsite gym and wellness opportunities
- Paid parental leave
- Life and disability insurance
- Learning and professional development opportunities
Top Skills
What We Do
Since 1963, Imbibe has been accelerating the growth of the food and beverage industry by designing and supplying custom ingredients as an unrivaled R&D partner. Imbibe’s end-to-end food and beverage product development services and ingredients enhance upstream and downstream operations. For companies who have limited internal resources to teams with sophisticated development capabilities, Imbibe is able to unlock the potential of the food and beverage industry by creating innovative flavors and ingredient systems that help drive differentiation in purposeful products. Imbibe’s ingredient portfolio includes flavors, stabilizers, functional blends, Pre/Sense™ natural sweeteners, and The Senses™, a suite of taste modulation tools that improve flavor, sweetness perception, and the overall taste and sensory experience. More information on Imbibe’s diverse skillset and services can be found online at imbibeinc.com.
