Job Summary
We are seeking a highly skilled Molecule Discovery Leader to lead and scale a next-generation molecule discovery engine in China, delivering breakthrough fragrance ingredients and building a world-class innovation hub.
IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences, we deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.
Scent: Harnessing the full emotional power of scent, driven by pioneering creativity, science, consumer expertise and a mindful approach to fragrance design.
The role is based in Shanghai (hybrid role), China. Be part of a motivated, passionate, and open-minded team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.
Where you will make the difference
In this position, you will play a central role in shaping the future of IFF’s fragrance ingredients palette by driving the discovery of novel, high-value molecules, leveraging advanced scientific approaches and emerging technologies. You will lead and inspire a team of discovery scientists, fostering a culture of creativity, rigor, and breakthrough thinking in molecular design and identification. You will also operate within a highly collaborative ecosystem, engaging closely with R&D experts, perfumers, and business stakeholders to ensure that newly discovered molecules are relevant, scalable, and meaningful in the market.
Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities
- Drive end-to-end discovery programs by orchestrating internal capabilities and external ecosystems, transforming diverse scientific insights into high-impact, validated molecules with clear pathways to development and commercialization.
- Define and lead a holistic molecule discovery strategy, integrating multiple innovation approaches (computational design, AI-driven discovery, rational design, natural inspiration, and biotechnology) to build a differentiated and sustainable pipeline of novel fragrance ingredients.
- Position the team at the center of the China innovation ecosystem through strategic partnerships with academia, startups, technology players
- Drive collaboration with global R&D, perfumery, data science, and process development teams to translate discovery into business impact
What makes you the right fit
- PhD in chemistry, chemical biology, biotechnology or related field, with strong scientific breadth across small molecule discovery and complementary innovation domains.
- 10+ years of leadership experience in discovery organizations, preferably scent, flavors or pharma, with a proven track record of delivering novel molecules into development pipelines.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and integrate multiple discovery paradigms, including experimental chemistry, nature-inspired or bio-based innovation or computational / AI-driven design
- Extensive experience managing complex, multi-project environments, ensuring efficient execution and prioritization, as well as structured generation, organization, and utilization of scientific data to support decision-making and accelerate discovery.
- Experience in external innovation management and partnerships, including startups, academic collaborations, and technology providers.
- Fluency in Mandarin and English
- undefined
How would you stand out
- Visionary scientific leader with the ambition to redefine molecule discovery and shape the future fragrance ingredient landscape.
- Deep expertise in molecular innovation, combining chemistry, biology, or computational design with a proven ability to deliver breakthrough molecules.
- Strong industry acumen, linking molecular properties to olfactive performance and commercial impact.
- Exceptional rigor and strategic thinking, able to lead complex, multidisciplinary discovery programs and drive tangible outcomes.
- Influential collaborator and communicator, capable of aligning diverse stakeholders and accelerating discovery across chemistry, biology, data science, and process development.
Why choose us
IFF is a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering customers a wide range of natural solutions. We believe in the power of diverse perspectives and strive for an inclusive workplace where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work, regardless of background or identity. At IFF, we are a creative, collaborative environment that encourages innovation and personal growth.
You will have:
- Opportunities to learn, develop, and expand your expertise across regions
- Be exposed to global projects and participation in worldwide initiatives.
- Receive competitive compensation and benefits package, including performance incentives.
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more
Skills Required
- PhD in chemistry, chemical biology, biotechnology or related field
- 10+ years of leadership experience in discovery organizations (scent, flavors, or pharma preferred)
- Proven track record delivering novel molecules into development pipelines
- Ability to lead and integrate multiple discovery paradigms (experimental chemistry, bio-based innovation, computational/AI-driven design)
- Extensive experience managing complex, multi-project environments and organizing scientific data to support decision-making
- Experience managing external innovation and partnerships with startups, academia, and technology providers
- Fluency in Mandarin and English
- Visionary scientific leadership and ability to link molecular properties to olfactive performance and commercial impact
- Exceptional strategic thinking and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills
IFF Family of Companies Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about IFF Family of Companies and has not been reviewed or approved by IFF Family of Companies.
-
Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered competitive in many roles and locations, and compensation is often described as good.
-
Parental & Family Support — A global minimum of 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave for all new parents is in place. This policy is positioned as a notable component of the overall package.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Core offerings include paid time off, sick days, holidays, and sabbatical leave. Flexible scheduling options such as compressed workweeks and hybrid/remote arrangements are available where feasible.
IFF Family of Companies Insights
What We Do
Meet IFF: We boldly bring together science and creativity to create what the world needs. An industry leader in food, beverage, health and biosciences, we create essential solutions – from global icons to unexpected innovations and experiences. Equal parts outspoken and analytical, our international collective of thinkers working with customers to bring scents, tastes, experiences, ingredients and solutions for products people crave. With 24,000 employees across 65 countries, more than 110 manufacturing facilities, 100 R&D centers, and 33,000 customers across the world, we’re poised to make a difference on an unprecedented scale. Without our boundary-pushing passion and end-to-end expertise, the future wouldn’t be the same. Visit us at www.iff.com to learn more about how our talented people and new technology are challenging the expected, championing creators and doing more good for people and planet. Explore what sets us apart.
