Job Description: Beverage Development Scientist
Job Type: Full-Time Location: Hybrid / Hereford Reports To: Founder
About Foreva Farmers
Foreva Farmers is an innovative leader in the beverage industry, dedicated to developing exceptional products for both our proprietary Foreva Farmers label and a diverse portfolio of subsidiary brands. We are seeking a highly skilled and strategic Beverage Development Scientist to join our Research & Development team. In this role, you will apply advanced food science principles to conceptualize, formulate, and commercialize a wide array of cutting-edge beverage products.
Position Overview
This position requires a versatile and highly technical scientist to drive New Product Development (NPD) across multiple complex beverage categories. The successful candidate will independently manage the entire product lifecycle - from conceptualization to commercial scale-up - ensuring the delivery of high-quality, shelf-stable liquids. Given the breadth of our brand portfolio, this role demands exceptional adaptability and deep technical expertise in formulating everything from functional wellness drinks to alcoholic beverages.
Key Responsibilities
- Full-Lifecycle New Product Development: Direct the beverage development process from initial ideation and benchtop prototyping through pilot trials and commercial-scale production.
- Complex Formulation: Architect and optimize formulations across a broad spectrum of categories, including but not limited to: CBD-infused beverages, fiber-fortified drinks, nootropics, non-alcoholic functional beverages, and alcoholic Ready-To-Drinks (RTDs).
- Quality & Stability Testing: Design and execute rigorous testing protocols, encompassing sensory evaluation, pH/Brix analysis, accelerated shelf-life testing, and stability studies to guarantee commercial viability and product safety.
- Regulatory Compliance: Serve as the internal subject matter expert on food and beverage regulations. Ensure all formulations, ingredient dosages, and product claims strictly adhere to industry standards and legal requirements.
- Scale-Up & Manufacturing Oversight: Translate laboratory-scale formulations into commercial manufacturing specifications. Collaborate closely with co-packers and contract manufacturers to ensure product integrity and quality control during large-scale production.
- Strategic Sourcing: Identify, evaluate, and collaborate with ingredient suppliers to procure high-quality, innovative, and cost-effective raw materials.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific discipline.
- Professional Experience: Minimum of 3 years of proven experience in beverage formulation and NPD, with a comprehensive portfolio of products successfully taken from concept to commercial launch.
- Technical Versatility: Demonstrated expertise working with functional and complex ingredients (e.g., CBD, nootropics, fibers) as well as formulating both alcoholic and non-alcoholic bases.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of food safety standards, compliance, and labeling regulations, particularly concerning functional claims and highly regulated ingredients.
- Operational Agility: Highly organized project manager capable of driving multiple complex NPD pipelines simultaneously in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Communication Skills: Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively between internal stakeholders, suppliers, and external manufacturing partners.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary commensurate with experience.
- Comprehensive benefits package [Insert specifics: e.g., health, dental, retirement plan].
- Flexible hybrid work model.
- Opportunities for professional growth within a rapidly expanding portfolio of brands.