Product Innovation Technologist

Britvic; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beverage manufacturer in Hemel Hempstead seeks a Product Innovation Technologist to drive the development of cutting-edge drinks. This role involves overseeing the full product journey from ideation to market launch, ensuring quality standards are met while collaborating across teams. The ideal candidate will have strong education in a relevant science discipline and experience in product development within the FMCG sector. Excellent problem-solving skills and curiosity in beverage trends are key.

Benefits

Private medical options

Life assurance

Company bonus scheme

Access to 24/7 GP services

Enhanced pension contribution

Generous holiday

High street discounts

Qualifications

• A-levels essential, degree preferred in a Science discipline.
• Experience in product development within the food/drinks industry or FMCG sector.
• Strong understanding of ingredient chemistry and processing technologies.

Responsibilities

• Own the complete technical journey from concept to market launch.
• Explore emerging consumer trends to inspire innovative product concepts.
• Evaluate ingredient and processing feasibility through experimental design.

Skills

Product development

Ingredient chemistry

Analytical skills

Creative problem-solving

Collaboration

Education

A-levels in Science

Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food, Nutrition

Job description

Job Title: Product Innovation Technologist
Location: Hemel Hempstead - Breakspear Park
Job Length: Permanent
Working Hours: 37.5
Competitive Salary with extensive 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

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 Brooklyn 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 Carlsberg Britvic business includes 5 production facilities and 16 logistics depot’s servicing customers up and down the UK. As these two historical businesses have come together, the one common goal remains, and that is ensuring our people succeed.

About the Role

Join Carlsberg Britvic's innovative Breakthrough Brands Team as a Drinks Technologist and help shape the future of beverage innovation. In this dynamic role, you'll thrive in a fast-paced environment that values agility, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking. You'll transform concepts into reality across emerging categories including plant-based milks, cold-pressed juices, premium adult drinks, and dispense solutions This position offers hands-on involvement in diverse, cutting-edge projects, ideal for someone who excels in experimentation, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration.

Role Responsibilities

• Own the complete technical journey from concept creation through to market launch, ensuring seamless execution at every stage
• Explore emerging consumer trends, technological advancements, and nutritional insights to inspire innovative product concepts that address evolving market needs
• Leverage data-driven insights to inform product development, balancing creative ideation with technical requirements and operational constraints
• Evaluate ingredient and processing feasibility through experimental design and trials, understanding component interactions in beverage systems
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with external partners, including suppliers and research institutions, to identify emerging trends and technologies
• Oversee comprehensive product testing through sensory, consumer, analytical, and shelf-life evaluations
• Ensure all products meet regulatory, safety, and quality standards throughout the development process

Experience and Key Attributes

• A-levels essential, degree preferred in a Science discipline (Biology, Chemistry, Food, Nutrition)
• Experience in product development within the food/drinks industry or FMCG sector
• Strong understanding of ingredient chemistry, processing technologies, and their impact on beverage performance
• Curiosity about emerging categories like plant-based drinks, low/no alcohol, and functional beverages
• Demonstrated resilience and confidence in taking calculated risks to make informed, strategic product decisions
• Creative problem-solving abilities combined with strong analytical skills to align technical solutions with business strategy
• Excellent collaboration and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment

Our commitment to diversity equity & inclusion

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 do let us know if you require any adjustments during the recruitment process.

Application Process:
We read applications continuously, and vacancies may be filled anytime, so please apply as early as possible.

We look forward to receiving your application.