Senior Cocoa & Chocolate Scientist

Company: Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner
Apply for the Senior Cocoa & Chocolate Scientist
Location: London
Job Description:

This is a unique opportunity to join a business investing heavily in breakthrough innovation, sustainability and future‑focused product development across confectionery and baked categories.

The successful candidate will play a key role in building technical expertise around cocoa materials and chocolate technologies, translating scientific understanding into commercially scalable products and innovative solutions.

This is not a traditional NPD role. The position sits within a global innovation team focused on long‑term technology platforms, ingredient innovation and sustainable cocoa solutions.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the development and optimisation of cocoa blends and chocolate systems across confectionery and baked applications
  • Build and share technical expertise around cocoa processing methods, materials science and emerging technologies
  • Support breakthrough innovation projects focused on sustainability, functionality and product performance
  • Lead bench development, pilot plant trials and factory scale‑up activities
  • Provide technical solutions to product and processing challenges
  • Collaborate closely with procurement, sensory, supply chain, quality and commercial teams
  • Work with external suppliers and technology partners to identify new opportunities and best practices
  • Support the development of proprietary technologies and patentable innovation opportunities
  • Manage technical project plans and support delivery of long‑term innovation roadmaps

About You

We are keen to speak with candidates who have experience within chocolate, confectionery, cocoa ingredients or related food technology environments.

Experience & Skills Required

  • Strong technical understanding of cocoa and chocolate technologies
  • Experience working within confectionery, chocolate or ingredient‑led FMCG environments
  • Knowledge of chocolate processing, formulation and scale‑up
  • Hands‑on pilot plant and factory trial experience
  • Strong problem‑solving and technical troubleshooting capability
  • Experience working cross‑functionally within fast‑paced innovation environments
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
  • Passion for innovation, sustainability and emerging food technologies

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Posted: May 25th, 2026