What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Flavorist position at Altria?
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Together We Innovate. Together We Change.
Ready to shape the future of flavor innovation? If a strong foundation in flavor systems, ingredients, and technologies is paired with a passion for creating what’s next, this opportunity offers a chance to make a lasting impact.
We’re seeking a Principal Flavorist in Richmond, VA to lead the discovery, innovation, and creation of new flavor concepts that power next-generation product development.
This role offers the opportunity to define and develop our focus on building a long-term pipeline through breakthrough products and cross-functional collaboration. This team brings together deep technical expertise to unlock new product spaces, accelerate innovation, and shape the future of the enterprise.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Lead flavor innovation and discovery: Guide teams in creating breakthrough flavor concepts that unlock new product spaces and fuel long-term innovation pipelines.
•Drive insight-led ideation: Lead cross-functional ideation efforts, turning consumer insights and unmet needs into bold, differentiated flavor concepts.
•Uncover new opportunity spaces: Develop market and competitive insights to identify white space opportunities across product and flavor categories.
•Shape next-generation product experiences: Apply deep technical expertise to design, evaluate, and refine innovative flavor systems for future-focused products.
•Advance consumer-centered design: Guide sensory evaluation and interpretation to ensure flavor solutions deliver compelling, differentiated experiences.
•Enable innovation at scale: Build and evolve infrastructure, tools, and knowledge systems that accelerate innovation and strengthen organizational capability.
•Partner to deliver breakthrough outcomes: Collaborate across R&D, Commercial, and Analytical teams to bring innovative flavor concepts from idea through execution.
•Lead regulatory and quality integration for innovation: Ensure new flavor solutions align with regulatory requirements while enabling speed and agility in development.
•Build and grow innovation capability: Mentor and develop talent, fostering a culture of creativity, technical excellence, and continuous learning.
We Want You to Have:
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology or Food Science preferred. Advanced degree or Flavorist Certification preferred.
•Experience in successfully managing and coaching teams
•In-depth knowledge of flavor creation and development, flavor ingredients, processing aids, suppliers and flavor application equipment and technologies are preferred.
•Ability to communicate effectively as the position will represent and advocate for Flavor Development on cross-functional projects.
•Ability to work well with diverse and cross-functional teams
•User of nicotine products is preferred
•Participation in product evaluation is preferred to support Flavor Development initiatives
As a People Leader at Altria, you are accountable for both results and the experience of your team. You drive alignment by connecting strategy to daily work, and you model collaboration by embracing diverse perspectives. By creating trust, offering feedback, and leading with authenticity, you help strengthen Altria’s culture and deliver meaningful outcomes.
The starting salary is based on but not limited to experience, knowledge, and qualifications in determining compensation decisions. The Salary Range for this position is: $132,500.00 - $202,100.00.
Why You’ll Love Building Your Career at Altria
At Altria, we believe a great career starts with feeling supported — both at work and in life. Here’s what you’ll find here:
- Work where life works for you — with flexible and remote options that fit your world, not the other way around.
- Own your time — start with 15 days of paid time off, 13 paid holidays, 2 floating holiday days, and a 37.5-hour workweek so you can recharge and live fully
- A place where you belong — where your ideas are welcomed, your growth is encouraged, and your impact is real
- Get recognized for your work – annual merit increases and performance bonus
- A future you can count on — 401(k) matching from day one; plus Deferred Profit Sharing, an annual company contribution in an amount equal to 13%-17% of your base salary
- Help with your goals — get help with student loan repayment assistance, attend a conference, or gain a new certification with professional development stipends
- Support for what matters most — comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family
- Celebrating your milestones — paid parental and bonding leave for life’s biggest moments.
- Wellness that goes beyond work — programs that care for your whole well-being at whatever stage you are in your life
- A culture that gives back — paid volunteer days and a shared commitment to making a difference
At Altria, we offer more than benefits — we offer a career that fits your life, rewards your ambition, and celebrates your impact.
Altria is a Fortune 500 company that has a leading portfolio of products for U.S. adult tobacco and nicotine consumers 21 . For decades we’ve been leaders in the tobacco industry, but the industry is evolving - and so are we. Our Vision is Moving Beyond Smoking™.
At Altria, we celebrate the power of diverse teams working together to shape our future. Each Altria company is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing individuals with criminal records, including formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals with conviction records, a fair chance at employment. Join us as we work together to shape a better future for adult tobacco consumers, our employees, and our shareholders.
Altria is the parent company of Philip Morris USA, John Middleton, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, Helix Innovations, and NJOY. Altria complements its tobacco portfolio with equity investments in Anheuser-Busch InBev and Cronos Group.
Benefits:
Health Insurance, 401K Plan, Maternity & Paternity LeaveSalary : $132,500 - $202,100