Product Innovation and Development Manager

Job Title

Product Innovation and Development Manager

Location

Hybrid – travel to Hemel Hempstead and customers' sites is expected.

Job Length

Permanent – Full time

Benefits

• Monthly product allowance – alcoholic & non‑alcoholic options available
• Private Medical options
• Life Assurance Company bonus scheme
• Access to 24/7 GP services
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Generous holiday (inc. bank holidays)
• Access to a range of high street discounts

Company Overview

Carlsberg Britvic is the largest multi‑beverage supplier in the UK and is home to some of the most iconic and popular beers & soft drinks, including Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, 1664, Poretti and Brookie to ale favourites such as Hobgoblin and Wainwright. For soft drinks, Carlsberg Britvic's brands include J2O, Robinsons, Tango and London Essence along with the licence rights to the Pepsi portfolio in the UK, including Pepsi MAX, 7UP, Lipton Iced Tea and Rockstar Energy.

With a strong national footprint, the business includes five production facilities and sixteen logistics depots servicing customers up and down the UK. The two historical businesses have come together with a common goal: ensuring our people succeed.

Role Overview

As a Product Innovation and Development Manager you will apply expertise in ingredients, recipes, nutrition, and consumer insights to develop and deliver innovative, sustainable products for breakthrough brands. Working closely with global technical and marketing teams, you will contribute to the long‑term innovation pipeline, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and the Healthier People, Healthier Planet agenda. As part of the Innovation Delivery and Development (IDD) team, you will collaborate with internal and external partners to bring science‑led innovation to life and help shape the future of soft drinks.

Role Responsibilities

• Manage key strategic innovation projects/programs; develop ingredients, processes, insights that enable high‑quality product development.
• Deliver innovation projects in the Break‑Through Brands portfolio (Plenish, Jimmy's, London Essence, Aqua Libra).
• Lead projects both internally and externally with our third‑party manufacturing network.
• Ensure diligent project delivery, meeting required governance and regulatory frameworks.
• Maintain and build robust relationships with the supplier community on new‑to‑market ingredients and technology opportunities, building internal and external capability.
• Lead projects from concept to delivery, building the brief to benefits realisation.
• Develop and maintain an innovation network, encouraging and participating in open sharing and best practice across technical implementation and group R&D.
• Manage and develop a portfolio of Product Innovation Projects aligned to business strategy.
• Partner with internal technical and marketing teams to embed innovation and technology within AOP projects.
• Support the Sustainable Business and Commercial teams with delivery of product innovation that delivers against Break‑Through Brands strategy.

Experience and Key Attributes

• In‑depth knowledge of ingredients, processes, nutrition, innovation, and sustainability across beverage categories.
• Ability to translate consumer trends, competitor activity, and environmental factors into actionable insights and strategic direction for Product Innovation.
• Experience in drink development, with the ability to formulate high‑quality products that resonate with consumers.
• Understanding of marketing, legal, and regulatory considerations in product innovation and development.
• Effective stakeholder management skills, including persuasion, communication, and engagement.
• Experienced in project management.
• A‑levels essential; a degree in a Science discipline (Biology, Chemistry, or Nutrition).
• Proficient in IT systems, including MS Office.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences – including those of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, religions, and socioeconomic statuses. We actively seek to create a safe and inclusive environment for all of our colleagues, where diverse perspectives are welcomed, and inclusive practices are embedded in everything we do.

We are happy to support accessibility needs, to ensure a fair and equitable experience for all candidates, so please let us know if you require any adjustments during the recruitment process.

Company Culture

This is an exciting time to join our newly formed business. With our incredible history, innovation of products and some of the UK's most iconic brands, Carlsberg Britvic strives to deliver the best service to our customers and consumers. We aim to make a difference, bringing together two diverse companies, and our global reach enables opportunities, growth, and a chance to work with fantastic people.

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