Innovation Technician

Imperial Brands; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Imperial Brands is seeking an Innovation Technician to join their Discovery team in Liverpool. You'll play a key role in product innovation by preparing and testing formulations. Ideal candidates will have a Level 3 qualification in chemistry or engineering and hands-on experience in product development, contributing to exciting projects that promote growth and innovation.

Benefits

Comprehensive compensation package

Bonus scheme

Qualifications

• Practical knowledge in formulation, processing, filling, and product characterisation.
• Experience in operating, maintaining, and specifying lab equipment.
• Proven ability to plan and complete work to high standards.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of next-generation products.
• Manage and maintain Discovery lab spaces and equipment.
• Collaborate with Technology Development Leads and participate in brainstorming sessions.

Skills

Problem Solver

Organised

Growth Mindset

Lab-Savvy

Education

Level 3 qualification in chemistry or engineering

Tools

Lab equipment management

Job description

The Role

Are you ready to play a hands-on role in shaping the future of product innovation? AtImperial Brands, we’re seeking a curious, detail-oriented, and proactiveInnovation Technicianto join our dynamic Discovery team—where bold ideas and breakthrough technologies come to life.

In this exciting role, you’ll support the development of next-generation products by preparing and testing formulations, consumables, and prototypes. Your work will directly contribute to key innovation projects that drive our ambitious growth strategy and keep us at the forefront of the industry.

Join a global business powered by over 25,000 colleagues, where your creativity and technical skills will help turn ideas into reality.

Principle Accountabilities

• To support and work closely with the Technology Development Leads, to create samples and prototypes, developing and accessing ideas from technology strategy, including assessing feasibility, viability and consumer liking for discovery projects and technology assessments across the 3 categories.
• To collaborate closely with the IP team and participate in cross-functional brainstorming sessions with specific targets based on category input, including formulation and device ideas to generate IP within the business.
• Take a leading role in managing and maintaining Discovery lab spaces and equipment. Understanding the capabilities and adapting to develop methods to test new, bespoke prototypes and assessments as well as produce new prototypes with existing equipment or identify new potential equipment to improve capabilities.
• Manage testing workload within a category and collaborate with leads, technicians and other teams to ensure effective prioritisation and reporting of work is completed, including writing and reporting of data.
• To be Health & Safety conscious, and understand lab safety/compliance, COSHH assessments and risk assessments and embody safety as investigation novel technologies.

Skills and Experience Required

• Qualified and Skilled: Hold a minimum Level 3 qualification in chemistry or engineering (e.g., BTEC, T-Level, NVQ, HNC) or equivalent industry experience/apprenticeship.
• Hands-On Experience: Practical knowledge in formulation, processing, filling, and product characterisation.
• Organised and Reliable: Proven ability to plan and complete work to high standards, with strong time management and reporting skills.
• Problem Solver: Capable of breaking down complex tasks into achievable actions and delivering effective solutions.
• Growth Mindset: Driven by continuous learning and improvement, with openness to new ideas and techniques.
• Lab-Savvy: Experience in operating, maintaining, and specifying lab equipment, as well as managing and reporting on testing initiatives.

What We Offer

In return for playing your part in building our future, you will receive a comprehensive compensation package with salary, bonus scheme and further benefits as well inspiring places to work and collaborate with purpose. Here at Imperial we will give you the opportunity to grow and learn, innovate at pace and be a part of our purpose to forge a path to a healthier future for moments of relaxation and pleasure for our consumers.

Everyone Belongs

Everyone belongs in Imperial. We are proud of being a truly inclusive organisation. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientation, religions or beliefs and of neuro divergence. We give fair and equal consideration to all our applicants. Please contact us at [e-mail] to let us know if we can provide support in helping you complete an application and/or attend an interview.

About Us

We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 120 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 25,000 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo where people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility and collaboration are driving our ambitions, innovation and success all supported by our award-winning development programmes that creates exciting and rewarding career opportunities for all. Encouraging inclusion at local levels and supporting a developing and robust diversity agenda globally, we’re fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference.

As a matter of policy, Imperial Tobacco or its subsidiaries never requests or requires payment as part of any recruitment process.