Beverage Product Developer - Lab Innovator (Contract)

Actalent; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life insurance

Disability insurance

HSA

PTO

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Product Developer (Beverage Innovation) for a 6-month contract in Seattle, onsite. You will develop and prototype beverage concepts, prepare lab samples, conduct tastings, and ensure regulatory compliance while collaborating with R&D, quality, and commercialization teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on lab work, sensory evaluation, and documentation to drive innovation and scale formulas from bench to production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related field
• 4+ years of product development experience within the food and beverage industry
• Experience developing or supporting beverage products
• Strong understanding of food safety and quality systems
• Hands-on laboratory experience, including sample preparation and documentation
• Experience conducting tastings, sensory evaluations, and interpreting results
• Knowledge of ingredient functionality, beverage formulation, and processing technologies
• Strong documentation, organization, and project management skills
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities
• Proven problem-solving skills and attention to detail

Responsibilities

• Develop and prototype innovative beverage concepts from ideation through testing
• Prepare lab samples and beverage formulations for evaluation
• Conduct product research and support innovation initiatives
• Ensure formulations and ingredients comply with food safety and regulatory requirements
• Host and facilitate product tastings and sensory evaluations
• Collect, document, analyze, and communicate tasting feedback and recommendations
• Support multiple product development projects simultaneously
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, quality, and commercialization partners
• Maintain accurate records for formulations, raw materials, sensory results, and standard operating procedures
• Prepare sensory ballots and assist with evaluation and reporting
• Organize and maintain laboratory supplies, ingredients, and testing materials
• Support brand maintenance and continuous improvement initiatives
• Contribute creative solutions to business and consumer challenges

Skills

Product development

Sensory science

Laboratory skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field

Tools

Office suite

Smartsheet

Miro

Adobe tools

Job description

Actalent is seeking a Product Developer (Beverage Innovation) for a 6-month contract in Seattle, onsite. You will develop and prototype beverage concepts, prepare lab samples, conduct tastings, and ensure regulatory compliance while collaborating with R&D, quality, and commercialization teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on lab work, sensory evaluation, and documentation to drive innovation and scale formulas from bench to production.