Product Developer

Reed Specialist Recruitment Ltd.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

Private healthcare

Cycle-to-work scheme

Shoreditch office

Job summary

Reed Specialist Recruitment Ltd. is seeking a results-driven Product Developer in Central London to drive innovation from concept to launch in a fast-growing FMCG environment. You will work with manufacturers, suppliers and internal teams to deliver commercially successful products.

The role requires a degree in a relevant discipline, 4+ years in product development, and strong flavour and regulatory knowledge. The office is based in Shoreditch, offering an equity option and private healthcare.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry or related discipline.
• 4+ years' experience in food and beverage product development.
• Experience with powders, beverages or functional ingredients.
• Strong understanding of flavour development and ingredient functionality.
• Experience managing factory trials and working with manufacturers.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Full right to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimise powder and beverage formulations.
• Translate customer briefs into market-ready products.
• Improve flavour, texture, functionality, stability and cost.
• Lead factory trials and support scale-up from development to production.
• Troubleshoot formulation, manufacturing and shelf-life challenges.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and product benchmarking.
• Ensure compliance with UK & EU regulations and maintain technical documentation.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Marketing, Supply Chain and Manufacturing teams to deliver projects on time.
• Manage relationships with customers, suppliers and manufacturing partners.

Skills

Formulation development

Sensory evaluation

Factory trials management

Stakeholder communication

Regulatory compliance

Education

Degree in Food Science or related discipline

Job description

Product Developer

Central London (5 days office-based)

Permanent | Full-Time

Start Date: ASAP

The Opportunity

A fast-growing FMCG business is seeking a Product Developer to support the innovation and development of both powdered and ready-to-drink products.

This is a hands‑on role where you'll take products from concept through to launch, working closely with manufacturers, suppliers, customers and internal teams to deliver commercially successful products.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimise powder and beverage formulations.
• Translate customer and retailer briefs into market-ready products.
• Improve flavour, texture, functionality, stability and cost efficiency.
• Lead factory trials and support scale‑up from development to production.
• Troubleshoot formulation, manufacturing and shelf‑life challenges.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and product benchmarking.
• Ensure compliance with UK & EU regulations and maintain technical documentation.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Marketing, Supply Chain and Manufacturing teams to deliver projects on time.
• Manage relationships with customers, suppliers and manufacturing partners.

About You

Essential

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry or related discipline.
• 4+ years' experience in food and beverage product development.
• Experience with powders, beverages or functional ingredients.
• Strong understanding of flavour development and ingredient functionality.
• Experience managing factory trials and working with manufacturers.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Full right to work in the UK.

Desirable

• FMCG or high-growth business experience.
• Experience working with UK retailers.
• Knowledge of wellness, functional or performance-focused products.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Equity participation opportunity.
• Private healthcare.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Collaborative Shoreditch office environment.
• Opportunity to join a rapidly growing consumer brand and make a genuine impact.