SME - CD&D Dairy/Savory Color - Erlanger, KY or New Berlin, WI

Subject Matter Expert (SME), CD&D Dairy & Savory Color – Erlanger, KY or New Berlin, WI

Position Overview

The CD&D Colors Application Scientist (Dairy & Savory) serves as a technical subject matter expert in color application across dairy and savory seasoning systems, delivering innovative, scalable solutions that meet evolving regulatory, consumer and customer demands.

This role focuses on natural color performance across dairy and seasoning platforms (i.e. yogurt, cheese, ice cream, sauces, dry blends and snack seasonings), translating color science into robust, commercially viable applications.

The ideal candidate combines expertise in dairy and savory formulation and processing with deep knowledge of color chemistry to address stability, shade, and performance challenges in emulsion, fat-based, and dry particulate systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Application Development & Technical Expertise
• Design and execute experiments evaluating color performance in dairy and seasoning systems (emulsions, fat-based systems, dry blends, coatings).
• Assess color stability under critical conditions, including:
• pH variation (fermented vs. neutral dairy systems)
• Thermal processing (pasteurization, UHT, cooking)
• Light exposure and oxidation (especially in dairy matrices)
• Shelf-life and moisture migration in dry seasoning systems
• Evaluate color interactions with ingredients such as proteins, fats, stabilizers, salts, spices and carriers
• Generate actionable technical insights to guide formulation recommendations and optimize performance
• Subject Matter Leadership – Dairy & Savory Seasonings
• Act as the go-to expert for dairy and savory/seasoning color applications across CD&D and commercial teams.
• Lead troubleshooting for complex challenges, including:
• Color instability in emulsions and fat-based systems
• Shade variability due to fermentation or processing conditions
• Dispersion challenges in dry seasoning and coating systems
• Develop and maintain best practices and application guidelines for internal and external stakeholders.
• Customer Collaboration & Commercialization
• Partner directly with customers’ R&D teams to deliver Concept-through-Commercialization support, particularly in transitioning to Natural Colors
• Translate technical findings into clear, concise customer-ready recommendations.
• Support customer engagements, including pilot and plant trials, lab work and technical presentations.
• Enable commercial success through fit-for-purpose color solutions that meet cost, performance and regulatory needs.
• Innovation & Portfolio Development
• Identify gaps and emerging needs in the dairy & savory seasoning color portfolio (i.e. clean label, stable reds for dairy, dispersion-ready powders, etc).
• Collaborate with Color and Product Development teams to:
• Develop new dairy- and seasoning-ready color solutions
• Enhance stability in demanding conditions (i.e. emulsions, high-fat, dry particulate systems, etc)
• Contribute to innovation pipelines aligned to key trends and customer needs (i.e. protein-forward dairy, savory snacks, clean label seasonings, etc)
• Cross-Functional Partnership
• Work closely with internal CD&D, Regulatory, Marketing and Commercial teams to ensure alignment between technical abilities and commercial strategy.
• Contribute to the development of technical training materials and best-practice guides for color use.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher in Food Science, Chemistry or related field.
• 5–10 years in food applications, with strong focus on dairy and/or savory/seasoning systems
• Demonstrated expertise in color application, stability and troubleshooting
• Experience with natural colors and FD&C replacement strategies strongly preferred
  
  

Deep knowledge of:

• Dairy and savory formulation and processing technologies
• Color chemistry and stability principles in emulsions, fat systems and dry applications
• Ingredient interactions in complex systems (i.e. protein-forward, fat-based, dry blends, etc)
  
  

Hands-on experience with:

• Bench and pilot-scale baking and/or extrusion systems
• Analytical and sensory evaluation of color performance
  
  

Key Competencies

• Strong problem-solving and experimental design capability
• Customer-facing communication skills (executive and technical audiences)
• Ability to translate technical insights into commercial impact
• Collaborative mindset across global teams
  
  

Success Profile

• Recognized internally and externally as a dairy &/or savory color expert
• Drives high win rates through technically differentiated solutions
• Accelerates customer conversions to natural colors
• Demonstrates strong linkage between technical delivery and revenue generation
  
  

Excited about this role but don’t think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.

ADM requires the successful completion of a background check.

REF:110030BR

Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.

If hired, employees will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

The pay range for this position is expected to be between:

$125,600.00 - $185,000.00

Salaried Incentive Plan

The total compensation package for this position will also include annual bonus and a long-term incentive plan

Benefits And Perks

Enriching the quality of life for the world begins by taking care of our colleagues. In addition to competitive pay, we support your diverse needs with a comprehensive total rewards package to enhance your well-being, including:

• Physical wellness – medical/Rx, dental, vision and on-site wellness center access or gym reimbursement (as applicable).
• Financial wellness – flexible spending accounts, health savings account, 401(k) with matching contributions and cash balance plan, discounted employee stock purchasing program, life insurance, disability, workers’ compensation, legal assistance, identity theft protection.
• Mental and social wellness – Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Colleague Giving Programs (ADM Cares).
  
  

Additional Benefits Include

• Paid time off including paid holidays.
• Adoption assistance and paid maternity and parental leave.
• Tuition assistance.
• Company-sponsored training and development resources, such as LinkedIn Learning, language training and mentoring programs.
  
  

*Benefits may vary for bargained locations, confirm benefit eligibility with your recruiter.

#IncludingYou

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are cornerstones of ADM’s efforts to continue innovating, driving growth, and delivering outstanding performance. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and create welcoming, truly inclusive work environments — environments that enable every ADM colleague to feel comfortable on the job, make meaningful contributions to our success, and grow their career. We respect and value the unique backgrounds and experiences that each person can bring to ADM because we know that diversity of perspectives makes us better, together.

We welcome everyone to apply. We are committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, language, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law

About ADM

At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We’re a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over. Learn more at www.adm.com.

Req/Job ID

110030BR