Food Development Manager - Drinks

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 information.