Liquid Scientist

Diageo; Bishop's Stortford; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A global beverage leader in Bishop's Stortford is seeking a Liquid Scientist for a 12-month fixed-term contract. The role focuses on driving innovation in product development, managing multiple projects, and applying technical expertise in creating differentiated liquids. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and experience in the food or beverage industry. This position offers flexible working conditions and a competitive rewards package, including health insurance and an annual bonus.

Benefits

Contemporary work-life balance policies

Subsidised gym membership

Contributory pension scheme

Comprehensive health insurance

Nursery vouchers

Annual bonus

Share options

28 days' vacation per annum

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is mandatory.
• Project and research experience in food or beverage is required.
• Experience in leading project teams and managing technical projects is essential.

Responsibilities

• Deliver technical output that has a financial impact.
• Manage multiple projects and initiatives with guidance.
• Communicate complex technical issues effectively.

Skills

Project management

Creative problem solving

Technical expertise

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Food Science, or related field

PhD or Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Analytical software

Job description

Liquid Scientist

Location: Bishop's Stortford

Type

12 months Fixed Term Contract

We’re visionaries, researching and developing the liquids, packaging and products that shape our industry and much-loved brands. Our founders were incredible entrepreneurs whose brilliant minds helped shape the alcohol industry. Our Research and Development team continue this legacy, reimagining our brands for the world today.

At our state-of-the-art research facilities around the globe, we have a collaboration of innovative minds working together to develop the products and solutions of tomorrow. We welcome your specialist skills and inspiring ideas and will support you to grow and develop in our inclusive culture.

Context

This role delivers technical output that carries a financial impact and that consistently delivers on the innovation business needs. The individual is expected to manage multiple projects, initiatives and work streams with guidance from manager and technical mentors. Leveraging commercial and consumer insights, the individual will act as a source of technical and creative expertise on their cross functional project teams. The individual will recommend, design and influence the business to implement new product/technical solutions for application in market.

Purpose of the role

To make innovation the driver for organic growth and build shareholder value by creating highly differentiated new products (Liquids), which satisfy consumer and customer needs. To drive competitive advantage through commercially focused technological innovation informed by consumer & strategic science activity. To deliver new product and technical solutions, ensuring delivery of goals within budget.

Responsibilities

• Once direction is clear, demonstrates a high degree of organizational impact and influence across functions to deliver business objectives.
• With guidance, designs, prioritises and executes experiments to achieve the best business results. Aligns strategy with marketing, Sensory and manager in timely manner.
• Applies knowledge of industry trends and internal/external developments to improve individual/group performance and applies own and others’ creativity to develop powerful solutions in concept development sessions.
• Builds and nurtures relationships within and across functions creating a culture of openness and information sharing.
• Understands and adheres to the appropriate legal and regulatory requirements of the region and seeks creative solutions within regulations.
• Shows tenacity in solving problems and raises issues with appropriate context; successfully identifies, analyses and solves problems with minimal guidance.
• Communicates effectively – Caters messages to audience and can simplify complex technical issues into key messages and recommendations.
• Consistently demonstrates excellent project management and follow-through on project commitments.
• Demonstrates degree of independent judgment, even in times of tight deadlines and reaches conclusive decisions after fully researching alternatives.

Top Accountabilities

• Actively initiates creative ways of working and fosters a climate where creative thinking flourishes.
• Translates creative ideas into tangible business opportunities, leveraging deep consumer insights in liquid development work – catering the brief and scope to the consumer opportunities.
• Consistently creates exceptional liquids across categories that meet internal standards for quality, cost and consumer testing hurdles – enjoys creative work on the bench top and brings creative culinary/mixology flair to development, constantly evolves as a liquid developer.
• Seeks out new ingredients/ methods for advanced outputs (even if they involve risk/ complexity); holds to the highest standards in delivering industry-leading liquids.
• The individual demonstrates deep accountability for the end-to-end project execution and where required; seeks out and advises on commercial solutions to ensure project delivery.

Experience we're looking for

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Food Science, or related field required. Additional certifications including Master’s or PhD a plus.
• Experience of relevant project and/or research experience (food or beverage) including doctoral or post‑doctoral research.
• Experienced in leading project teams; proven record of managing technical projects through to execution.
• Brewing, Spirits and/or Wine Development experience preferred.

Working with Us

Flexibility is key to success. From part-time and compressed hours to different locations our people work flexibly in ways to suit them. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you and we’ll work together so that you’re supported from day one.

We recognise and value performance, offering our people a highly competitive Rewards and Benefits package including:

• Contemporary work life balance policies and wellbeing activities
• Subsidised gym membership
• Contributory pension scheme
• Comprehensive health insurance for you and your family
• Nursery vouchers
• Annual bonus of circa 15% of your base salary (dependent on performance)
• Share options
• 28 days’ vacation per annum

Our purpose is to celebrate life, every day, everywhere. And creating an inclusive culture, where everyone feels valued and that they can belong, is a crucial part of this.

We embrace diversity in the broadest possible sense. This means that you’ll be welcomed and celebrated for who you are just by being you. You’ll be part of and help build and champion an inclusive culture that celebrates people of different gender, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation, social class, educational backgrounds, experiences, mindsets, and more.

Our ambition is to create the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products companies in the world. Join us and help transform our business as we take our brands to the next level and build new ones as part of shaping the next generation of celebrations for consumers around the world!

Feel inspired? Then this may be the opportunity for you!

If you require a reasonable adjustment, please ensure that you capture this information when you submit your application.

Worker Type

Regular

Primary Location

Bishops Stortford

Job Posting Start Date

2025-12-18