Description
About the Company
We are partnering with an innovative and rapidly expanding organisation at the forefront of beverage product development. Recognised for their deep technical expertise and commitment to quality, the company serves a diverse portfolio of customers in the functional, carbonated, and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage categories. With a collaborative R&D culture and state-of-the-art pilot facilities, they are dedicated to creating best-in-class beverage formulations that push the boundaries of flavour, functionality, and consumer experience.
Who We Are
We are a specialist recruitment and executive search firm supporting high-growth and innovation-driven companies across the food, beverage, and nutrition sectors. Since 2012, we have been a trusted partner to both emerging brands and global leaders, connecting them with top-tier technical and scientific talent who drive innovation and growth.
The Client
Our client is a leading flavour development company providing full-service formulation expertise from concept through commercialisation. With advanced laboratory and pilot plant capabilities, they specialise in carbonated soft drinks, cold-filled preserved beverages, hot-fill applications, and functional beverage systems. The company’s team of scientists and flavour experts collaborates closely with major brands and start-ups alike to bring cutting-edge beverage concepts to life.
Location
Salt Lake City - Utah
(Relocation support may be considered for the right candidate.)
About the Role
The Sr. Beverage Scientist will play a key leadership role within the company’s R&D team, leading beverage formulation and scale-up projects from bench to pilot plant. This is a hands-on, senior-level technical position ideal for a self-directed, experienced product developer with a passion for innovation in beverage science. The role involves both independent project execution and mentorship of junior scientists and technicians to ensure technical excellence and efficient workflow across the beverage lab.
You will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of beverage systems—carbonated, cold-filled, hot-filled, and functional—while collaborating cross-functionally with flavorists, ingredient specialists, and customer teams to deliver commercially successful products.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development, batching, and evaluation of beverage prototypes, supporting new product development across multiple beverage formats.
- Independently formulate and optimise beverage bases, flavour systems, and ingredient solutions for CSDs, cold-filled preserved, and pasteurised products.
- Collaborate with internal R&D and technical teams to scale products from bench to pilot plant (OMVE).
- Supervise and mentor Beverage Technologists and Technicians, providing guidance, technical training, and daily workflow oversight.
- Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for laboratory and pilot equipment to ensure consistency and compliance.
- Partner with ingredient sourcing teams to identify and secure raw materials for formulation projects.
- Support customer and sales teams in technical discussions and prototype approvals.
- Troubleshoot and solve formulation or processing challenges with creativity and scientific rigour.
- Maintain lab and pilot plant organisation, cleanliness, and operational readiness.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to lab efficiency, product quality, and development processes.
Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific field required.
- Master’s degree in Food Science strongly preferred.
Experience:
- 6+ years of hands-on experience in beverage formulation and development (with M.S.) or 10+ years (with B.S.).
- Proven track record developing and scaling beverages such as carbonated soft drinks, cold-filled preserved, and hot-fill or retort products.
- Strong technical understanding of beverage chemistry, flavour systems, sweeteners, acidulants, and functional ingredients.
- Experience supervising or mentoring junior scientists preferred.
Technical Skills:
- Skilled in beverage processing equipment (UHT, carbonators, OMVE pilot systems).
- Proficient in analytical methods, including Brix, pH, TA, and density measurements.
- Familiarity with lab safety, maintenance, and equipment calibration.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and formulation tracking tools.
Work Environment
- Office and laboratory setting with exposure to moving mechanical equipment, ingredients, and airborne particles.
- Requires frequent standing, lifting (up to 50 lbs), tasting, and handling of functional ingredients, caffeine, and alcohol-based materials.
Compensation & Benefits
- $110-120,000 USD
- Comprehensive health, dental, and retirement benefits
- Paid time off and holidays
- Professional development opportunities within a collaborative R&D culture
