Job Description

Title : Sr. R&D Beverage Technologist

Location : On site in San Fernando, CA

Type : 3-month contract to hire

Pay rate range : $32-$40/hour

Role Overview

The Senior R&D Product Development Specialist will be responsible for the development, enhancement, and reformulation of beverage products using both existing and new ingredients. This includes calculating product costs, creating master formulations, and overseeing prototype evaluations for various beverage categories including functional drinks, flavored beverages, and specialty formulations. The role may also involve supervising and mentoring other chemists and lab technicians.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently develop innovative beverage products based on customer and market requirements, including functional beverages, RTD products, and specialty drink formulations
• Reverse-engineer competitor beverage products and improve existing formulations to enhance taste, stability, and shelf-life
• Evaluate project feasibility in terms of production scalability, processing technology, and cost for beverage manufacturing
• Perform comprehensive cost analysis including ingredient sourcing, packaging considerations, and propose pricing for developed beverage products
• Develop and maintain beverage formulas, specifications, and process parameters for various production systems
• Collaborate directly with customers and provide technical support, including on-site assistance during first-time beverage production runs
• Work closely with quality assurance teams on beverage stability testing, shelf-life studies, and microbiological safety protocols
• Provide training and mentorship to junior chemists and lab technicians on beverage-specific testing methods and formulation techniques

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in beverage R&D, formulation, or product development
• Proven expertise in beverage formulation, including knowledge of pH balancing, flavor systems, and preservation methods
• Strong understanding of beverage processing techniques (pasteurization, aseptic processing, carbonation, etc.)
• Experience with beverage stability testing and shelf-life evaluation
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail

This job description is a complete list of all desired skills, but not all are required. We strongly encourage candidates who have some of the skills to apply. We look forward to a conversation to learn more about you!

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