QC Specialist, Fragrance
osmoElizabeth (NJ)
About the role
Who we are at Osmo: Osmo is the Olfactory Intelligence company, on a mission to give AI a sense of smell to improve the health and wellbeing of human life. Why? Our sense of smell has the ability to delight us, protect us, and heal us. Olfactory Intelligence has applications across industries including fragrance, manufacturing, security, medicine, and more. We believe in the power of automation and thoughtfully applied AI/ML to solve problems beyond the reach of human intuition alone. We're headquartered in Elizabeth, NJ, with an additional office in Somerville, MA. We provide complimentary shuttle service from Brooklyn and Newark, NJ.
About the Role:
Osmo's QC function is being built from the ground up, and this seat is where day-to-day quality judgment lives. You'll run testing and sampling on raw materials coming in and finished fragrance going out, using real fragrance-industry judgment that automated testing alone can't provide. You'll have the standing to make real-time accept/reject calls independently, and the experience to step in and cover QC decisions when the QC Manager is out.
What You'll Do:
- Judge incoming raw material results from automated testing, deciding when an out-of-spec reading is a real defect versus normal variation in a natural material
- Apply trained olfactive judgment to evaluate raw materials and finished goods using sensory skill the equipment can't replicate
- Run triangulation testing on outgoing product to confirm it matches prior batches before it reaches a customer
- Make accept/reject calls in real time, multiple times a day, escalating only genuinely ambiguous cases to the QC Manager
- Step in and cover QC sign-off when the QC Manager is unavailable, keeping finished-goods flow moving rather than stalling
- Maintain and run lab instrumentation (GC/MS, photosampler, flash point testing, colorimeters), including calibration checks and upkeep
- Maintain audit-ready lab records: test logs, certificates of analysis, and equipment records
- Mentor QC Tech staff on fragrance-specific testing and olfactive judgment
- Partner across the floor with Purchasing, Warehouse, Shipping/Receiving, and Fragrance Development on sample flow and testing turnaround
Who You Are:
- Fragrance industry experience or exposure required - adjacent industries (coffee, beer, wine, alcohol roasting, flavor, cosmetics, specialty chemicals) don't clear the bar
- Comfortable making high-frequency accept/reject calls independently, without over-escalating routine judgment
- Trained nose - sensory and olfactive evaluation skill specific to fragrance raw materials and finished goods
- Strong hands-on experience with lab instrumentation; GC/GCMS familiarity is a plus, not a requirement
- Strong documentation habits
- Comfortable stepping into a QC decision-making role in the Manager's absence
- Technical degree preferred (Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related); equivalent hands-on fragrance-industry lab experience accepted in place of a degree
- On-site in Elizabeth, NJ, 5 days a week
What We Offer:
- Real Growth Path - A senior technician track with real, independent QC decision-making authority, inside a quality function being built from the ground upCatered Lunch - Mon/Wed/Fri; Newark, NJ and Brooklyn shuttles 401(k) savings plan and employer match
- Competitive salary and meaningful equity in a high-growth company
- Flexible PTO and paid family leave
- Commuter benefits (pre-tax transit and parking)
If this role inspires you we'd encourage you to apply. We are committed to recruiting, developing, and retaining an incredible team optimized for a diversity of thought, background, and approaches.
Every posting lists the pay range and benefits for that role. Where you land in the range depends on skills, experience, scope, and internal equity. Full time employees receive a total rewards package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, a healthcare FSA, a 401(k) with company match, flexible paid time off, paid family leave, company holidays, and commuter benefits. Eligible roles also receive equity, which is subject to the terms of the equity plan and board approval and is not guaranteed. Applicants and employees may ask about and discuss their pay without retaliation.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Osmo is an equal opportunity employer. We hire, develop, and promote based on skills, experience, and potential, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, nationality, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related conditions, gender identity or expression, transgender status, sexual orientation, marital, civil union, or domestic partnership status, familial or caregiver status, disability, genetic information, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, military or veteran status, liability for military service, hair texture or protective hairstyle, arrest or conviction record consistent with applicable law, unemployment status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. This commitment covers every part of employment, including hiring, job assignment, compensation, discipline, benefits, and training.
Accommodations: If you need an accommodation to apply or interview, tell us at accomodations@osmo.ai. Your request is confidential and will not affect how we evaluate you. Please reach out before your first interview so we can plan with you.
Recruiting & Staffing Agencies: Osmo does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Please do not send resumes to Osmo employees or any Osmo address. Osmo is not responsible for fees on unsolicited submissions unless the Talent Acquisition team has engaged you directly in writing.
Work authorization:
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Each posting states whether visa sponsorship for employment is available for that role. All new hires must complete identity and employment eligibility verification (Form I-9) after an offer is accepted.
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