Pilot

Senior Manager, Product Development Scientist

Our approach to business is to start with facts based in science and our passion is to work towards a better shared future to make a difference in people’s lives, communities and our planet. Our scientists help support that future and we’re looking for an individual that will support the execution of new product development initiatives designed to create a robust pipeline of innovations across categories to meet the short and the long-term priorities of the region. The ideal candidate is a product development scientist with demonstrated skills in developing and/or reformulating food and beverage products from ideation through commercialization. Must be able to lead a small group of lab-based product developers.

What You’ll Do for Us

• Development of lab scale prototypes producing pilot plans for both beverage-based parts and final products. Prepare beverages and conduct analytical tests on taste and/or odor according to sensory guidelines including qualifying taste panelists.
• Designs, produces and evaluates/assesses through lab testing a product prototype/sample against technical requirements fit to concept or performance specifications.
• Provides expertise and recommendations of best practices for production of beverage-based parts or finished products during production trials with the plants or bottling partners, which includes consulting line managers as appropriate on milestones and general guidelines and proactively provides advice inside & outside R&D community.
• Performs chemical analyses using instrumental methods to determine the composition of samples and prepares samples and sampling plans for ingredients, intermediates, or finished products or other materials to perform analyses.
• Designs, develops, conducts and/or reviews experiments to deliver new products and evaluates ingredient, product, or packaging safety, efficacy, or claims or evaluate new ingredients, materials, products, or processes.
• Writes detailed and accurate reports for analyses, experiments, or projects. Gathers and organizes information under tight timelines to support senior management's decision-making.
• Participates in team projects, interdepartmental/divisional committees or company-wide initiatives to share information, represent the department/division perspective or assist with product development process modification, package development and marketing.
• Works on product development projects assigned by line manager from idea generation to formula finalization through close discussion and alignment with Technical and Marketing teams and all other stakeholders.
• Leverages prior education, suppliers and literature to innovate within scope of briefs provided by other technical experts or supervisor.
• Applies food science knowledge of ingredients, packaging, processing to assure safe and high-quality products.
• Participates in commercialization scale tests at manufacturing line with QA and commercialization team if needed.
• Leads project meetings within the category cross-functionally with marketing, customer management, or technical groups. Manages, coaches and trains students, technicians, or junior developers on specific project/tasks.

Qualification & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry or related field is required
• 7+ years of successful experience in product development in the beverage industry.
• Project Management: Knowledge of project management principles and the ability to apply the principles, tools and techniques to develop/plan, manage or execute projects or work plans to ensure successful completion (e.g., on time, within budget).
• Building Technical Relationships: Ability to apply technical knowledge and establish credibility with highly technical audiences in order to build technical relationships that will benefit customers or the Company.
• Ingredients: Knowledge of and experience with key ingredients used in production of concentrates and beverage bases (e.g. caramel, citric acid, sodium benzoate, phosphoric acid, natural flavors).
• Beverage Manufacturing: Knowledge of and ability to apply carbonated and non-carbonated beverage processing techniques (e.g. proportioning, carbonating, syrup manufacturing, filling). Ability to apply technical knowledge and establish credibility through written reports and verbal presentations with highly technical audiences to build technical relationships that will benefit customers or the Company.
• Basic Flavor Chemistry: General knowledge of the organic chemistry of essential oils and other flavor compounds relevant to Company products.
• Flavor Industry Knowledge: Knowledge of flavoring materials, the flavor industry and the trade organizations that represent them.
• Computer Skills: Knowledge of Microsoft suite of programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and formula/database type systems; capable user.
• Basic Organic Chemistry: Knowledge of basic organic structures, reactions, functional groups and properties needed to understand the reactions of organic compounds in Company products.
• Endurance: Willingness and ability to occasionally function effectively over extended periods of time. Ability to be flexible and adjust priorities based on business needs.

What We Can Do For You

• Purpose Driven: Purpose-driven approach that empowers our people to protect the environment and communities we serve while delivering safe & quality products.
• Global Connections: Allows you to develop, enhance and maintain global connections that allow us to move faster and learn from others.
• Community of Belonging: We’re an organization that believes our ability to continually grow and build the right atmosphere where people feel safe and empowered lets you bring your best self to work.

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