Job Title: Beverage Development Scientist
Job Type: Full‑Time
Location: Herefordshire
Reports To: Founder
Our client is a fast‑growing and highly innovative beverage business with a diverse portfolio spanning proprietary brands and white‑label product development. With an ambitious growth strategy and expanding product pipeline, they are seeking a talented Beverage Development Scientist to join their R&D function.
This is an exciting opportunity for a technically strong and commercially aware scientist to play a key role in bringing cutting‑edge beverage concepts to life.
The Role
The successful candidate will drive New Product Development (NPD) across a broad range of beverage categories. You will take ownership of projects from initial concept and bench formulation through pilot trials and commercial scale‑up, ensuring the delivery of high‑quality, shelf‑stable products.
The portfolio includes functional wellness beverages, fortified drinks, and alcoholic Ready‑to‑Drink (RTD) products, so versatility and strong formulation expertise are essential. This role requires someone comfortable operating in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment, capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining rigorous technical and regulatory standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Full‑Lifecycle New Product Development: Direct the beverage development process from initial ideation and benchtop prototyping through pilot trials and commercial‑scale production.
- Complex Formulation: Architect and optimize formulations across a broad spectrum of categories, including but not limited to: CBD‑infused beverages, fiber‑fortified drinks, nootropics, non‑alcoholic functional beverages, and alcoholic Ready‑To‑Drinks (RTDs).
- Quality & Stability Testing: Design and execute rigorous testing protocols, encompassing sensory evaluation, pH/Brix analysis, accelerated shelf‑life testing, and stability studies to guarantee commercial viability and product safety.
- Regulatory Compliance: Serve as the internal subject matter expert on food and beverage regulations. Ensure all formulations, ingredient dosages, and product claims strictly adhere to industry standards and legal requirements.
- Scale‑Up & Manufacturing Oversight: Translate laboratory‑scale formulations into commercial manufacturing specifications. Collaborate closely with co‑packers and contract manufacturers to ensure product integrity and quality control during large‑scale production.
- Strategic Sourcing: Identify, evaluate, and collaborate with ingredient suppliers to procure high‑quality, innovative, and cost‑effective raw materials.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific discipline.
- Professional Experience: Minimum of 3 years of proven experience in beverage formulation and NPD, with a comprehensive portfolio of products successfully taken from concept to commercial launch.
- Technical Versatility: Demonstrated expertise working with functional and complex ingredients (e.g., CBD, nootropics, fibers) as well as formulating both alcoholic and non‑alcoholic bases.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of food safety standards, compliance, and labeling regulations, particularly concerning functional claims and highly regulated ingredients.
- Operational Agility: Highly organized project manager capable of driving multiple complex NPD pipelines simultaneously in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.
- Communication Skills: Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively between internal stakeholders, suppliers, and external manufacturing partners.
- Competitive base salary commensurate with experience.
- Opportunities for professional growth within a rapidly expanding portfolio of brands
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