Job Summary
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, China (open to other locations in China). This role will establish core capabilities and expertise in the field and act as the key regional interface for Open Innovation partnerships and Project Pipeline Development. The leader will shape strategy, drive delivery from lab to pilot to commercial scale, and ensure the platform becomes a sustainable engine of differentiated, cost-competitive, and regulation-ready fragrance materials. 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’ll Make a Difference
Biotechnology Platform Development & Capability Building
- Define and lead the long-term biotechnology strategy for Asia, aligned with global R&D and business priorities.
- Shape the regional roadmap for biocatalysis, microbial technologies, and metabolic engineering to enable future fragrance ingredient creation.
- Establish frameworks, decision tools, and focus areas that guide biotech-enabled ingredient development.
Innovation Pipeline & Portfolio Leadership
- Build and manage a strategic biotechnology pipeline delivering differentiated, sustainable, and cost-competitive ingredients.
- Prioritize opportunities based on scientific potential, business impact, and time-to-market.
- Oversee portfolio progression and ensure resources and capabilities meet future needs.
- Strategic Partnerships & External Innovation
- Lead the regional open innovation strategy by identifying and managing high-value partnerships across academia, startups, and technology providers.
- Build a strong external ecosystem to access emerging enzymes, hosts, and biological technologies.
- Represent the biotechnology strategy externally to enhance visibility and engagement.
Cross-Functional Influence & Collaboration
- Serve as the key biotechnology partner for Discovery, shaping route design and portfolio strategy.
- Provide strategic direction to chemistry, process development, commercial, and supply chain teams to integrate biotechnology into ingredient development and scaling.
- Ensure strong alignment between regional and global teams to maximize knowledge flow and investment impact.
Leadership & Talent Development
- Recruit, mentor, and develop top scientific talent, building a high-performing and innovative team.
- Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that attracts world class scientists.
- Represent the platform in senior leadership discussions, influencing strategy and long-term R&D investments.
What Makes You the Right Fit
- PhD in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related discipline.
- 10+ years of experience in the field applied to the synthesis of chemical structures.
- Proven leadership in building capabilities, shaping pipelines, and managing external partnerships.
- Strong cross-functional influence, ideally with experience partnering with chemists on hybrid routes.
- Excellent strategic thinking, communication skills, and the ability to operate in a multicultural environment.
- Willingness to travel across China and Asia (~20–40%) for partners, sites, and scale-up activities.
How Would You Stand Out?
- Strong scientific background
- Fluency in Mandarin and English
- Ability to connect R&D opportunities with business needs.
Why Choose Us?
- Strategic thinker with strong project management and change leadership.
- Ability to lead innovation initiatives and drive successful outcomes.
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
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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.
