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Food Development Manager - Drinks
Job Posted: 10 days ago
Salary: £ Competitive
Job Type: Permanent
Location: ME20, Aylesford, Kent
Expire in: 18 days
Job Description
Food Development Manager – Innovation (RTD/Functional Drinks/Drinks)
Location: Aylesford, Kent
Working setup: Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm, fully on-site
Pod Talent is thrilled to be partnering with a global and innovative food and drink manufacturer. With a passion for health, performance, and wellness, this company supports a wide variety of brands – from flavoured waters and energy drinks to alternative dairy and wellbeing beverages. It’s a fantastic time to join them as they scale their innovation team and work on some of the most exciting NPD projects in the market right now.
This is a brand-new role that sits at the heart of the R&D and commercial strategy. You’ll report directly to the Head of Innovation and work closely with cross-functional teams to develop products from concept to launch, while helping define the future of the innovation function.
This is a great opportunity for someone looking to step up in a more senior role – the team values energy, curiosity, and collaboration just as much as deep technical knowledge.
What you’ll be doing:
* Lead the end-to-end development of new beverage products, from concept creation to first production runs, in both internal facilities and with co-manufacturers.
* Work directly with clients to scope, cost, and design innovative beverage formulations across RTD and functional drinks.
* Ensure regulatory compliance, ingredient functionality, shelf-life validation, and all technical aspects are handled from the start.
* Run and attend development trials, taste panels, and scale-up sessions, ensuring every launch meets the brand’s promise.
* Act as a bridge between R&D, commercial, and quality teams, helping translate innovation into real-world success stories.
What we’re looking for:
* 3+ years of experience in beverage development, ideally within functional drinks, RTD, or wellbeing beverages.
* A BSc or MSc in Food Science, Food Chemistry, or a related field.
* Confidently developing full product recipes and overseeing manufacturing, shelf life, and sensory analysis.
* A hands-on and collaborative approach – you love rolling up your sleeves and working cross-functionally.
* An open, adaptable mindset – someone who can balance structure with creativity, and thrives in a fast-evolving environment.
* Passionate about health, nutrition, and innovation with a commercial mindset and cost-awareness.
Why join?
* The chance to build your own role and have a genuine voice in how innovation is run.
* A fast-paced, supportive and open team culture – people are friendly, flexible, and want to grow together.
* Exposure to major consumer brands and dynamic beverage start-ups.
* Long-term growth opportunities, with the potential to move into leadership or cross-functional projects.
* A real focus on personal development and learning-by-doing.
If you're passionate about drinks, ready to lead development end-to-end, and want to make your mark in a high-growth space, this is a great opportunity for you.
Apply now or reach out to Serge at Pod Talent for more informationBefore You Apply
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Looking for your next career move? Join a top company hiring Food Development Manager - Drinks job near me in ME20, Aylesford, Kent! This is your chance to work on exciting projects, grow professionally, and enjoy a rewarding career with competitive pay and excellent benefits. Whether you're an experienced professional or looking to take the next step, this role offers the perfect opportunity to enhance your skills and make an impact. Don’t miss out—apply today via Vita CV and take your career to the next level!
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