Senior Manager R D Beverage Flavour Concentrate Development Jobs In Kildare | WhatJobs

UnitedHealth Group; Ireland; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beverage company in Ireland seeks a Senior Manager for R&D in Beverage Flavour Concentrate Development. This role focuses on innovation in beverage flavours and concentrates, requiring extensive experience and leadership skills. You will manage a team and oversee projects that take concepts to market, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Candidates should hold a relevant degree and possess a passion for developing unique beverage solutions. Attractive benefits are offered to support employee wellness and growth.

Benefits

Health and wellness benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 8+ years of experience in beverage R&D focused on flavour and concentrate development.
• Deep knowledge of flavour chemistry, beverage formulation, and concentrate manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements relevant to beverage flavours and ingredients.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and improvement of beverage flavours and concentrate formulations.
• Manage a team of flavourists, chemists, and technologists focused on innovation.
• Oversee flavour & concentrate development projects from ideation to commercial launch.

Skills

Flavour chemistry

Leadership

Communication

Cross-functional management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Senior Manager R&D Beverage Flavour Concentrate Development – Kildare

Job Overview

The KDP Ireland Beverage Flavour & Concentrate Development Senior Manager leads the research, development, and innovation of beverage flavours and concentrates, driving the creation of high‑quality, consumer‑preferred products in key markets. This role oversees flavour creation, concentrate design, and optimisation processes to ensure products meet market trends, regulatory requirements, and company standards. The Senior Manager will collaborate closely with KDP Global R&D, regulatory scientific affairs, procurement, production, quality assurance, and supply chain to bring innovative beverage solutions from concept to commercialisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and improvement of beverage flavours and concentrate formulations that align with company brand strategy and consumer preferences.
• Manage a team of flavourists, chemists, and technologists focused on flavour and beverage concentrate innovation.
• Partner with KDP Beverage Product & Packaging Development to identify innovation, renovation and productivity opportunities.
• Oversee flavour & concentrate development projects, from ideation and formulation through testing, scale‑up, and commercial launch.
• Act as a technical expert and leader, providing guidance on flavour chemistry, sensory evaluation, and concentrate processing and technologies.
• Lead strategic partnerships with external flavour houses, ingredient suppliers, and technical vendors to leverage innovation and optimise supply chain.
• Support troubleshooting and problem‑solving efforts related to flavour & concentrate quality and production issues.
• Manage strong relationships with KDP Beverage Product & Packaging Development, and other R&D functions in the US, external regulatory bodies, technology vendors, and service providers.
• Manage R&D budgets, project timelines, and resource allocation effectively.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in beverage R&D with a strong focus on flavour and concentrate development.
• Deep knowledge of flavour chemistry, beverage formulation, and concentrate manufacturing processes.
• Proven leadership experience managing R&D teams in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements relevant to beverage flavours and ingredients.
• Experience working with sensory analysis and consumer testing methodologies.
• Innovative mindset with a passion for developing unique, market‑driven beverage solutions.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross‑functional stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Preferred Skills

• Project management skills.
• Experience in natural and clean‑label flavour development.
• Familiarity with beverage manufacturing technologies and quality systems.
• Experience in cross‑functional collaboration in a multi‑national matrixed organisation.
• Proficiency in data analysis and formulation software is a plus.

Company Overview

Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ: KDP) is a leading beverage company in North America, with a portfolio of more than 125 owned, licensed and partner brands and powerful distribution capabilities to provide a beverage for every need, anytime, anywhere. We operate with a differentiated business model and world‑class brand portfolio, powered by a talented and engaged team that is anchored in our values. We work with big, exciting beverage brands and the #1 single‑serve coffee brewing system in North America at KDP, and we have fun doing it! Together, we have built a leading beverage company in North America offering hot and cold beverages together at scale. Whatever your area of expertise, at KDP you can be a part of a team that’s proud of its brands, partnerships, innovation, and growth.

We strive to be an employer of choice, providing a culture and opportunities that empower our team of ~29,000 employees to grow and develop. We offer robust benefits to support your health and wellness as well as your personal and financial well‑being. We also provide employee programmes designed to enhance your professional growth and development, while ensuring you feel valued, inspired and appreciated at work.

Equity and EEO Statements

Keurig Dr Pepper is an equal opportunity employer and recruits qualified applicants and advances in employment its employees without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability or association with a person with a disability, medical condition, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.