Senior Research Scientist

ASR Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global sugar company is seeking a Senior Research Scientist to lead product development projects across Europe. This role offers opportunities for innovation in formulation science and requires expertise in manufacturing processes. You will manage a team while collaborating with marketing and production teams to bring new products to market. The ideal candidate has experience in the Food or FMCG industry, along with a strong technical background and project management skills, ensuring compliance and excellence in product delivery.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in product development within the Food or FMCG industry.
• Strong technical expertise in liquid product development and scale-up processes.
• Proficiency in project management methodologies for timely execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development from concept to launch, ensuring GMP compliance.
• Manage a team and oversee laboratory operations while ensuring safety standards.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with teams such as Marketing and Sales.

Skills

Formulation science

Project management

Technical leadership

Analytical methodologies

Consumer testing

Education

B.Sc. in Foods, Nutrition, Chemistry, Agriculture or related field

M.Sc. or Ph.D. in relevant discipline

Job description

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Job Title

Senior Research Scientist, R&T

Location

Thames Refinery, UK

Reports To

R&T Director

Company Description

ASR Group is the world’s largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar, with an annual production capacity of more than 6 million tons of sugar. The company produces a full line of grocery, industrial, food service and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group owns and operates six sugar refineries, located in Louisiana, New York, California, Maryland, Canada and Mexico. In Europe, the company owns and operates sugar refineries in England and Portugal. ASR Group also owns and operates mills in Mexico and Belize. The company’s brand portfolio includes the leading brands Domino®, C&H®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle’s® and Sidul®.

Overview

Reporting to the Research & Technology Director, the Senior Research Scientist is responsible for leading and coordinating product development projects across Europe, with occasional involvement in global initiatives. Working within the Global Research and Technology department and European cross‑functional teams, this role ensures technical excellence, compliance, and timely delivery of new and existing products. The position requires strong technical knowledge in formulation science, manufacturing processes, and analytical methodologies, combined with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and customers to align projects with business objectives and market needs.

Detailed Roles & Responsibilities

Product Development & Project Management

• Lead, design, and execute technical aspects of product development, reformulation, and optimisation strategies from concept through launch and post‑launch governance.
• Provide technical leadership in ingredient qualification, formulation development, and production of bench‑top or full‑scale samples aligned with customer and marketing briefs.
• Apply stage/gate project management principles to deliver multiple work streams on time and within budget.
• Develop product formulations and laboratory samples based on consumer insights, ensuring compliance with manufacturing, regulatory, and cost objectives.
• Design and conduct sensory evaluations and consumer testing (qualitative and quantitative), analyse data, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Prepare and submit ingredient specifications, formulation briefs, and finished product documentation; develop process control documents in collaboration with quality and operations teams.

Scale‑Up Trials & Manufacturing Problem Solving

• Lead scale‑up trials across European sites, including co‑packers, by defining objectives, developing Design of Experiments plans, capturing critical data, and aligning cross‑functional teams to optimise product performance.
• Direct full‑scale production trials to validate process robustness, confirm commercialisation strategies, and ensure seamless transfer from development to manufacturing.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing, pilot plant, and laboratory processes using data‑driven approaches and continuous improvement methodologies to resolve technical challenges.

Team and Laboratory Management

• Manage and mentor a small team, including at least one Research Scientist, by providing guidance, setting priorities, and fostering collaboration to achieve departmental objectives.
• Oversee routine laboratory operations, including formulation development, analytical testing, equipment reliability, consumables management, and budget planning.
• Ensure a safe, GMP‑compliant laboratory environment and adherence to health and safety standards.
• Manage qualification and tracking of real‑time and accelerated shelf‑life assessments for all new, optimised, or reformulated products.
• Deliver technical training for internal teams and customers on new products, consumer needs, and technology implementation.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Contribute to projects involving manufacturing operations, packaging innovation, regulatory, legal, quality, supply chain, and procurement.
• Partner with Marketing, Sales, Procurement, Finance, and Operations to identify opportunities for competitive advantage and support new product development initiatives.
• Lead customer engagement sessions, supporting Marketing and Sales with development briefs and product sample showcases.

Work Experience

Required

• Experienced in a similar role within the Food or FMCG industry
• Strong technical expertise in formulation science, liquid product development, and manufacturing processes, from bench‑top through scale‑up and full‑scale production.
• Proficiency in project management methodologies, including stage/gate processes, to deliver multiple work streams on time and within budget.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, manage, and execute pilot and manufacturing trials in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice protocols, ensuring accurate sample assessments against agreed specifications.
• Extensive knowledge of Design of Experiments, sensory evaluation tools, shelf‑life studies, and analytical and physical testing methodologies.
• Proven people management and leadership skills, with experience mentoring teams and fostering collaboration to achieve departmental objectives.
• Strong laboratory management capabilities, including oversight of equipment reliability, consumables, safety compliance, and budget planning.

Preferred

• Knowledge in sugar refining and syrup production processes, including functional properties, processing behavior, and formulation impact.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement principles, advanced statistical analysis, and data‑driven approaches to optimise products, reduce costs, and enhance quality.
• Experience leveraging Artificial Intelligence tools and data analytics in product development for predictive modeling, formulation optimization, and trend analysis.
• Experience in interpreting consumer insights and applying them to innovative product design strategies.
• Awareness of global regulatory requirements and compliance standards for food and beverage products.

Education & Certification

• Minimum B.Sc. in Foods, Nutrition, Chemistry, Agriculture, or a related Science/Technology/Engineering field.
• Advanced degree (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) in a relevant discipline is highly desirable.

At Tate & Lyle Sugars, our goal is to be the most admired sweetener Company.

Service Excellence -Be the industry's Gold Standard by a relentless focus on reliability, providing products with superior quality and excellent customer services.Efficiency and Sustainability -Eliminate inefficiency to be a sustainable, low cost producer and to generate fuel for reinvestment.Value-Add -create strategic advantage and enhanced profitability through value-added products and services. The foundation of our values isTalent and Cultureas we aim to build, retain and motivate a winning team.