Food Scientist (Beverage)

Manta Search; California (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Manta Search is seeking a hands-on Food Scientist to lead formulation across its RTD beverages, powdered instant, and future formats. The role reports to the Senior Director of R&D and collaborates with Regulatory, Quality, Operations, and the in-house Lab Team.

You will own new product innovation, lead concept-to-production efforts, and guide sensory specs and supplier qualification to deliver high-quality products at scale.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of food or beverage formulation experience.
• Experience taking a product from concept to retail shelf.
• Experience building sensory specs and validation protocols.

Responsibilities

• Lead formula development from concept through co-manufacturer qualification and commercial production.
• Apply formulation science across beverage formats and powdered formulations.
• Partner with co-manufacturers on technical evaluations, line troubleshooting, and QC standards.

Skills

Food formulation

Beverage formulation

Sensory specs

Co-manufacturer collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science/Technology/Chemistry

Job description

Manta Search is representing a fast-growing functional food and beverage brand in its search for a hands-on Food Scientist to lead formulation across its product pipeline. This person will own new product innovation and the renovation of existing products across ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, powdered instant, and future formats. The role reports to the Senior Director of R&D and works closely with Regulatory, Quality, Operations, and the in-house Lab Team.

What You'll Do

• Lead formula development from concept through co-manufacturer qualification and commercial production, for both new launches and improvements to products already on shelf
• Apply formulation science across formats, including liquid beverage chemistry (emulsification, pH, pasteurization, shelf stability) and powdered formulation (solubility, moisture control, blend uniformity)
• Partner with co-manufacturers on technical evaluations, line troubleshooting, and QC standards
• Build ingredient validation protocols and backup supplier qualification processes that meet retail audit standards
• Create sensory specifications and pass/fail standards with Quality and Sensory teams
• Guide third-party lab testing and work with Regulatory to align ingredient dosages with claim requirements
• Collaborate with Marketing and leadership to ensure product concepts are both commercially viable and scientifically sound
• Help shape stage-gate processes and technical documentation as the team scales

What You Bring

• 3+ years of food or beverage formulation experience (beverage preferred)
• A track record of personally taking a product from concept through a co-manufacturer to retail shelf, including time on the production floor
• Deep technical expertise in at least one commercial format (liquid, powdered, or similar) and an eagerness to learn others
• Experience building sensory specs and validation protocols that hold up at commercial scale
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related field
• Sound judgment on when a decision needs rigor and when it can move fast
• High standards for quality and a builder's mindset for creating new products, systems, and processes

Nice to Have

• Experience with functional ingredients such as adaptogens, mushroom extracts, nootropics, or botanicals
• Background at a better-for-you or natural brand that has scaled through retailers like Target, Whole Foods, Kroger, or Costco
• Familiarity with structure/function claims and dosage regulations

Why This Role

This is a chance to shape a growing product portfolio and the processes behind it. The right person will have real ownership, direct impact on what hits shelves, and a cross-functional team that values strong science.