Jeb Gleason-Allured, Editor

Abstract: Demographic shifts, evolving pay structures and a look at the hottest jobs in the industry

“The flavor and fragrance job market is pretty healthy,” says Richard Panzarasa, president of recruitment firm The Panzarasa Group. “Going forward, I think that management will continue to look for the best they can find; the competition in the marketplace is fierce. They have to be ready to face what will come next.” And, despite a mature industry—more evident on the fragrance end than flavor, says Panzarasa— expansion is possible. He points out that, “Both the supplier and manufacturer have to continue to look for new uses for their products.”

Panzarasa has 30 years of experience in the industry, previously holding executive positions with Roure, Robertet and Mane. He’s spent the last six years as a recruiter working exclusively in the flavor and fragrance world. Panzarasa’s clients encompass, as he puts it, “anyone in the industry that has a hand in getting the product out the door or has an impact on that product.” This includes perfumers, flavorists, sensory evaluation staff, manufacturing, sales, marketing, R&D, new product development, chemists, toxicology and regulatory.
     While business is busy for the recruiter, Panzarasa doesn’t see the current market as particularly active. “There’s probably a bit less turnover now, only because there are fewer companies,” he says, adding that, ratiowise, the market is fairly similar to 10 years ago. “We’re a very small, social industry,” he points out. “People have a tendency to know of other companies. Thus, there is an ability to change companies more easily.”

Other topics discussed: The Job Landscape; What Companies Are Looking For; Assessing Today’s Job Candidates; The Evolution of Compensation; Generational Succession in the Industry