Director of Product Development | Functional Beverage Formulator
With over a decade of hands-on product development experience in sports nutrition and functional beverages, Perrin Gerber leads Sensapure’s product development and innovation strategy. From flavor system creation to clean label formulation, Perrin specializes in scaling beverages that meet today’s demand for function-forward, retail-ready products.
• Oversees Flavor Lab, Applications Lab, and Beverage Innovation Center
• Leads development of functional beverage formulations and flavor systems
• Manages top-tier customer projects and internal innovation roadmap
• Drives R&D integration, sensory optimization, and team performance tracking
• Created commercial formulas for BCAA drinks, CBD tinctures, whey and pea proteins, and clean label energy shots
• Designed supplement facts panels, sourced ingredients, and optimized cost of goods (COGS)
• Consulted across the dietary supplement, beverage flavoring, and sports nutrition industries
• Scaled production capacity by 400% through process and workflow improvements
• Spearheaded the company’s transition from white-label to contract manufacturing
• Developed SOPs for formulation, raw material sourcing, inventory control, and flavor system deployment
Perrin plays a pivotal role in shaping Sensapure’s internal flavor and applications programs. He leads technical trainings for R&D and Sales, manages the Sensory Panel, and supports data-driven product innovation across clean label and functional ingredient systems. His deep experience with flavor system design for high-performance actives ensures success from concept to commercialization.
“Great flavor starts with purpose-built systems. I’m passionate about bridging the technical and the commercial—solving complex formulation problems with science, speed, and strategy.” -Perrin Gerber
• Functional beverage formulation (RTDs, powders, shots)
• Flavor masking for bitter actives (botanicals, amino acids, caffeine)
• Clean label and natural product development
• Supplement Facts panel design and regulatory strategy
• Cost-of-goods (COGS) optimization and ingredient sourcing
• Sensory evaluation and consumer-driven flavor iteration
• Contract manufacturing scale-up and operations integration
• B.S. in Food Science & Technology – Brigham Young University
• Fluent in Spanish
• Scholar Athlete Award recipient
• Advanced Microsoft Excel & ERP systems expertise
• Sensory and ingredient systems trainer at Sensapure
At Sensapure, Perrin leads brands through the process of creating exceptional beverages and nutritional products.
He brings:
⚬ A deep understanding of raw material sourcing, flavor chemistry, and sensory science
⚬ The ability to reverse-engineer competitor products and optimize nootropic blends
⚬ A unique talent for bridging the technical and creative sides of formulation
Whether the goal is functionality, flavor, or both—Perrin’s process is grounded in both analytical rigor and creative intuition.
Perrin’s entrepreneurial mindset has helped scale Sensapure’s product development infrastructure. Notable achievements include:
⚬ Spearheading the creation of Sensapure’s R&D Beverage Center
⚬ Implementing company-wide project management systems
⚬ Supporting cross-functional teams in bringing products to life—faster and smarter
Perrin stays on the cutting edge of ingredient innovation, with a focus on adaptogens, clear whey protein, and even psilocybin. His areas of expertise include:
⚬ Functional beverage formulation (RTDs, powders, tinctures)
⚬ Protein systems (pea, whey, hemp) & flavor masking
⚬ Sensory optimization using Sensapure’s Sensory Quant™ and SensAroma™
⚬ Cross-functional project leadership & product lifecycle ownership
⚬ Cost modeling, raw material sourcing, and ERP/MRP systems (Fishbowl, M3)
⚬ Regulatory documentation: Supplement/Nutrition Facts, SOPs, Specifications
He regularly shares insights on topics like cortisol management, stability testing, and the future of functional beverages—always rooted in real-world data and practical application.
When he’s not formulating the next big thing, Perrin stays active outdoors and enjoys weightlifting, exploring nature, and roughhousing with his three kids.
“One of my favorite parts about working at Sensapure is that I get to be a professional taste tester—I tell people I eat for a living!”
His curiosity and drive carry through every part of his life—even if the local tackle football league leaves him with a few more bruises.
Watch Perrin's full interview, or read the research article!
