Principal Flavorist

Altria Client Services, based in Richmond, Virginia, is a prominent player in the U.S. adult tobacco and nicotine market, known for its diverse portfolio of products serving consumers aged 21 and over. As a Fortune 500 company, Altria has a longstanding leadership presence in the tobacco industry. However, the company is actively evolving to meet the changing preferences and needs of consumers as it pursues an ambitious vision called Moving Beyond Smoking. This vision highlights Altria's commitment to innovation and transformation, exploring new product categories and opportunities that align with a future less dependent on traditional cigarettes. With a focus on collaboration, diversity, and inclusion, Altria fosters a workplace culture where diverse teams come together to innovate and create meaningful impact for customers, employees, and shareholders alike. The company also demonstrates a strong commitment to equitable hiring practices, including giving individuals with criminal records a fair chance at employment, embodying a socially responsible approach to workforce inclusion.

The Principal Flavorist role at Altria Client Services offers an exciting opportunity for a senior-level flavor expert to lead pioneering efforts in flavor innovation that will shape next-generation product offerings. This hybrid position in Richmond, VA, sits at the heart of product development, tasked with steering flavor discovery, ideation, and technical excellence. The successful candidate will play a critical leadership role in guiding teams to unlock new product spaces through breakthrough flavors, leveraging deep knowledge of flavor systems, ingredients, technologies, and market trends. Responsibilities include identifying emerging flavor trends and consumer insights, developing white space opportunities, and driving cross-functional collaboration with R&D, commercial, and analytical groups. The Principal Flavorist will also advocate for consumer-centered design through sensory evaluation and ensure regulatory compliance within flavor development, all while mentoring and developing talent within the innovation team.

This position carries both strategic and hands-on responsibilities, emphasizing creativity, technical rigor, and business impact. With a salary range between $132,500 and $202,100 annually, the role reflects Altria’s commitment to rewarding expertise and leadership. The company supports a balanced work experience through flexible work models, paid time off, comprehensive benefits, and professional development programs designed to promote growth and wellbeing. By joining Altria, the Principal Flavorist not only contributes to advancing flavor innovation but also becomes part of a dynamic culture that values collaboration and authentic leadership. This role is ideal for individuals who combine strong scientific backgrounds—preferably with degrees in chemistry, biology, or food science—and substantial experience in flavor systems, ingredient knowledge, and product innovation in food, fragrance, or pharmaceutical domains, especially those who thrive in guiding teams and delivering impactful results in a multifaceted organization.