Jobster Sunderland, England, United Kingdom
Head of Innovation - Studentjob.co.uk
Jobster Sunderland, England, United Kingdom
1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
Head of Innovation
Are you a hands-on innovator in the drinks space with a passion for trend-led product development?
Head of Innovation
Are you a hands-on innovator in the drinks space with a passion for trend-led product development?
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and commercially-minded Head of Innovation to lead the creation of a next-generation functional drinks portfolio. This is a confidential appointment on behalf of a fast-growing business at the forefront of product innovation within the health and wellness category.
The Opportunity
This role is ideal for a forward-thinking food scientist or NPD leader who blends technical expertise with entrepreneurial drive. You’ll lead the end-to-end development of functional beverages, from energy drinks and RTDs to vitamin waters and clean-label innovations, bringing new products to life ahead of the market curve. With in-house pilot capabilities and creative freedom, you’ll play a critical role in shaping what’s next in the drinks category.
What You’ll Be Doing
* Leading NPD across multiple categories and formats, from concept to pilot production
* Translating health, flavour, ingredient, and packaging trends into commercially viable products
* Creating a ready-to-go library of functional drink formulations
* Working hands-on in the lab, formulating, testing, and refining prototypes
* Partnering with flavour houses, packaging suppliers, and internal stakeholders
* Supporting costing, feasibility analysis, and go-to-market planning
* Influencing packaging, process, and machinery decisions based on innovation needs
What We’re Looking For
* A degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Nutrition, or similar
* 5+ years of drinks NPD experience (functional food/drink, health and wellness, or FMCG)
* Hands-on formulation experience with strong lab capability
* Commercial acumen and understanding of cost structures, margins, and scalability
* Passionate about emerging trends in consumer health, ingredients, and packaging
* Entrepreneurial, proactive, and excited by the pace of growth and innovation
* Bonus: experience working in start-up, scale-up, or agile environments
Package: Competitive Salary (Depending on experience) + Benefits
Location: Sunderland (37.5hrs per week)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Sector: FMCG / Food & Beverage
Please note: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK
#Jobster
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Director
Employment type
* Employment type
Part-time
Job function
* Job function
Product Management and Marketing
* Industries
Software Development
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Jobster by 2x
Get notified about new Head of Innovation jobs in Sunderland, England, United Kingdom.
Sunderland, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Durham, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
North Tyneside, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Newton Aycliffe, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Newton Aycliffe, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Senior Director, Biologics Platform Technologies Head
Durham, England, United Kingdom 5 days ago
Hartlepool, England, United Kingdom £40,000.00-£50,000.00 1 month ago
Guide Post, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Gateshead, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Sunderland, England, United Kingdom 3 months ago
Head of Business Development (Maternity cover)
Riding Mill, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago
Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Highfield, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago
South Shields, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago
Gateshead, England, United Kingdom 21 hours ago
Stockton-On-Tees, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago
Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom 19 hours ago
Stockton-On-Tees, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Highfield, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom 5 days ago
Stockton-On-Tees, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr