Product Development Manager in the Powdered Applications Lab
Tanner Isom is a Product Development Manager of Powdered Beverages at Sensapure. He leads the development of innovative, functional flavor systems for brands in the active lifestyle space. With over a decade of experience in the flavor industry, Tanner brings a uniquely creative approach to formulation—combining deep technical skill with an artist’s intuition for taste and balance.
Known for his ability to design profiles that work with, rather than against, challenging actives, Tanner is a master at transforming off-notes into on-brand experiences. Whether it’s dialing in the acid profile for a fruit-forward hydration stick or developing texturizers to smooth gritty vegan proteins, he knows how to bring flavor, mouthfeel, and function together into a cohesive and craveable product.
Ask him about:
• What it means to "Appropriate the Off-Notes", or "Appropriate the Flavor"
• Which formulation tool is the most underrated (*cough-cough* salt), and how it helps with price efficiency, function, and flavor
• Stories about how color affects perception of flavor
• How to properly use different acids in different fruit flavors
• And much, much more
Tanner’s path to product development wasn’t traditional. Before joining Sensapure in 2019, he spent years touring in a band and building a career from the ground up—starting in a warehouse and eventually earning his place in the lab through hands-on trial and error. That foundation shaped his perspective: problem-solving through curiosity, iteration, and collaboration. Today, he specializes in ready-to-mix (RTM) powders, plant-based proteins, masking systems, and custom flavor builds that help clients stand out in saturated markets.
Outside of the lab, Tanner is a laid-back creative who still channels his artistic roots through music, media, and travel. He played in a band for 15 years, which explains why everyone who meets him says "Tanner rocks!" For Tanner, great flavor isn’t just science, it’s storytelling. And helping brands turn their vision into a market-ready product is a challenge he never gets tired of solving.
What gets him excited about the future of product innovation?
“If you're looking at other people's success and wondering, 'how can I do that?', you're already in the wrong mentality. You shouldn't try to catch someone else's wave of success; you'll always be left in the wake. The most successful brands [are] just doing what they want to do.”
Watch Tanner's full interview, or read the research article!
