Senior Expert Product Development (m/f/d)

Stellenbeschreibung:

The Senior Expert Product Development is responsible for the development of innovative non-alcoholic products mainly in the beverage sector for the European area, i.e. development of prototypes up to the supervision of the initial production in compliance with internal and legal guidelines.

Senior Expert Product Development (m/f/d)
Nieder-Olm | Research & Development | 38 hours | | permanent contract

Product Development:

Develop and optimize beverage recipes using raw materials, compounds, and syrups
Lead prototype creation and supervise scale-up and first production runs
Ensure compliance with internal standards and European food legislation

Project Management & Innovation:

Manage technical development projects independently, including planning, execution, and documentation
Drive continuous improvement and cost optimization (COGS) initiatives
Benchmark technical solutions against market standards and trends

Laboratory & Technical Operations:

Prepare samples and conduct mixing trials at lab and pilot scale
Conduct and evaluate stability and shelf-life tests
Maintain lab equipment and manage raw material inventory

Documentation & Compliance:

Create and maintain raw material specifications, manufacturing instructions, and SAP master data
Ensure adherence to GMP, internal procedures, work safety, and environmental regulations

Cross-functional Collaboration:

Interface with Marketing, Purchasing, Production, Quality, and Legal departments
Collaborate with suppliers and external partners (e.g., universities, associations)
Share best practices and support international R&D coordination

Sensory & Quality Evaluation:

Participate in sensory panels and quality evaluations
Evaluate new raw materials and support supplier qualification

Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Beverage Technology or a related field (Master's degree preferred)
6–10 years of experience in beverage development or a comparable technical role within the food and beverage industry
Proven track record in beverage development with broad technical expertise and demonstrated success in bringing products from concept to market
Strong knowledge of European food legislation and European beverage markets
Proficiency in MS Office and SAP
Fluent in English and German, both written and spoken
Willingness to travel internationally and to be regularly present at our Nieder-Olm site

Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have)

Deep expertise in beverage compounds and emulsion technologies, covering formulation design, process development, and commercial application
Extensive experience in zero- and reduced-sugar beverage development, including sweetening strategies, fortification, and nutrition-focused product concepts
Comprehensive knowledge of beverage stability mechanisms and stabilisation technologies, ensuring product quality and shelf-life performance