Someone recently gifted me with a tech magazine subscription; I still can't figure out who. My favorite part of getting the magazines is getting to sniff the perfume and cologne samplers advertised inside. If you enjoy this sensation as much as I do, then there is a good chance that you've smelled something by Firmenich.
Firmenich is a fragrance and flavor company that has been creating some of the most iconic scents and flavors since the 19th century. They put a lot of value on research and sustainability, along with social and ecological responsibility.
Firmenich is very smart in the sense that they know they are a people business, and without their great people, they'd be nowhere. You get taken care of when you are at Firmenich. They also encourage you to experiment creatively and innovate.
Diving Into the Values at Firmenich
For Good, Naturally
Firmenich wants to inspire people. They want to add to moments in peoples' lives in a positive way. And they craft just the products to do it. But they want to create these products as responsibly as possible. Perfumeries used to jump through all sorts of crazy hoops to make their stuff. But that isn't at all how Firmenich goes about their business. They only use the most natural ingredients.
They are innovative in the way that they utilize ingredients and believe in conducting extensive research so they can always be sure that they are doing things as sustainably as possible. The company practices responsible sourcing. They also encourage creativity when it comes to sourcing, which is something that has set them apart in the industry.
The Force Behind Firmenich
Not Your Common Scents
Firmenich people are creative, self-assured, independent, powerful and forward-thinking people. They are the types of people that can look at a blank sheet of paper and create something beautiful out of it.
They are also the type of people that are changing the industry for the better, through science and research. It is a highly qualified and educated bunch, with a knack for learning. You've got to be a go-getter. You've got to always be thinking about ways that you could improve or change things for the better. But if you are like that, there is a reward in store.
The Culture at Firmenich
Channeling a Positive Feng Shui
Firmenich is a lifestyle company, and working for them is somewhat of a lifestyle itself. You will have ample opportunity to participate in after work and weekend social events. Close-knit social relationships are forged at Firmenich, in part because the company produces such a unique set of products. Meaning you automatically have something off-kilter and sort of oddly fascinating in common with everyone you work with!
And, of course, this company is wildly diverse. It's inevitable when you span the globe as Firmenich does. The company is almost 43% ethnic minorities. This number is unheard of in a lot of industries.
It is also a culture of creativity. The workspaces aren't dull-white blocks of blah. All of them are designed and painted in artful and inspiring ways to get the most out of you. An artist knows how important it is to find their community. For a lot of artists, Firmenich is that community.
The Sweet Scent of Benefits
I Smell Awesome Perks!
Just as they work to create positive emotions for customers, they also work hard to create positive emotions with their own people. You'll get to work in state of the art, modern workspaces that are designed to increase productivity and creativity. These workspaces are stocked with all the amenities, free snacks and coffee, and some even have onsite gyms. Most locations have onsite massage therapists and yoga studios with instructors.
Additionally, Firmenich locations tend to be in some of the most happening cities in the world. Think Barcelona, New York, Shanghai, and Sao Paulo. And employees have described the work-life balance as superb, which means you'll actually get to explore these amazing places. And it helps that reported salaries are extremely competitive for these areas, so actually living there will never be a problem.
Employee Testimony
Don't Just Take My Word For It...
"Firmenich is an excellence-driven company, encouraging both creativity and leadership, hyper-caring for its employees as it does for its clients and offering great personal development opportunities," Loris Alvarez said. Alvarez was a logistics and supply chain professional for Firmenich for over 11 years.
"Together we discuss everything, from water conservation in India, income security in Morocco, crop drying in Guatemala, wild harvesting in Somaliland and so much more," Vice President of Naturals, Dominique Roques said.
Laurent Daviet, a distinguished scientist with Firmenich, said, "Firmenich is driven by multidisciplinary innovation -- bringing scientists, flavorists, perfumers and other experts together to fulfill our purpose 'For Good, Naturally.'"
And with one of the most interesting sounding jobs we've ever encountered, Mr. Laith Wahbi, Director of Savory Portfolio and Technology, said, "Who doesn't love a cheeseburger? We are part of creating 100% vegan burgers with the same great taste and sizzle."
What Else to Check Out with Firmenich
Cool Things To Learn More About an Innovative Company
A couple of years ago, Firmenich put together a film series called 'Naturals Together.' It's a beautiful set of short films that takes a deeper dive into the company's relationship with some of their most trusted natural sources. Not only are the films educational, but they are also artfully shot and shine a much-needed light on local artisans and farmers from around the globe. If you want a look into what makes this company great, start there.
