Job Description
Location: London / Office 1 to 2 days pw
Salary: £45k + package
Type: Full-time
About the role
We’re supporting a fast-growing, international performance and nutrition brand as they expand their EMEA innovation capability. This is a hands on role for someone who enjoys building products end-to-end - from early concept through to first production working closely with contract manufacturers, flavour houses and cross-functional stakeholders.
You won’t be working in an internal lab. Instead, you’ll lead external development and commercialisation, owning the technical detail and keeping projects moving at pace.
What you’ll do
* Lead rapid development and commercialisation of new products across functional beverages and active nutrition (powders / supplements)
* Translate product concepts into clear technical briefs for co-manufacturers and external R&D partners
* Manage and direct flavour development, including basic sensory evaluation and feedback loops
* Build and maintain robust technical documentation:
* Collaborate with internal partners (Marketing, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain) to ensure products meet functional targets, compliance requirements, cost parameters and consumer expectations
* Support packaging decisions (format, size, component checks) and readiness for manufacturing scale-up
* Coordinate third-party certifications where required
* Occasionally travel to manufacturing or partner sites across the UK/EU to support pilots, first runs, audits or supplier qualification
What we’re looking for
* Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering (or similar)
* ~3+ years’ experience in product development / NPD / R&D commercialisation within FMCG
* Category experience in one or more of:
* functional beverages (soft drinks, energy, juice, RTD, etc.)
* sports nutrition / food supplements
* fortified powders / premix / meal replacement / infant nutrition / medical nutrition
* Comfortable working through external partners (co-packers / co-mans / flavour houses)
* Strong organisational skills - can manage multiple projects with shifting timelines
* Familiarity with cGMP principles and an awareness of UK/EU regulatory constraints in food/supplements (deep regulatory expertise not required)
Why this role
* High-growth business with a strong EMEA trajectory
* Broad end-to-end scope and visibility across commercial + technical stakeholders
* Opportunity to shape an evolving innovation pipeline in a fast-paced environment
* Hybrid working with a pragmatic approach to office time (and travel that comes in waves)
Apply / enquire
If you’d like a confidential conversation, apply here or message directly with your CV / LinkedIn profile.