Research And Development Manager - Beverages

Axzel Search is partnering with an established U.S. ingredients and flavor business that develops solutions for beverage manufacturers across a broad range of consumer applications. The company combines technical expertise, product development capabilities, and customer-focused support to help brands bring new beverage concepts to market.

This is an opportunity for a senior beverage R&D professional to lead a technical applications team while remaining closely involved in formulation and product development.

The successful candidate will oversee beverage innovation projects from initial brief through prototype development, working closely with customers and internal stakeholders to create commercially relevant solutions.

• Lead and mentor a team of beverage application scientists and laboratory technicians
• Coordinate project priorities, resources, timelines, and deliverables across the applications group
• Develop beverage prototypes and concepts aligned with customer needs, commercial objectives, and emerging market opportunities
• Design and refine formulations across a range of beverage categories and processing conditions
• Investigate existing products and formulations to understand their composition and recreate target sensory and technical characteristics
• Assess flavor performance, build flavor systems, and recommend adjustments based on product requirements
• Plan and conduct laboratory trials, bench evaluations, and sensory testing in collaboration with internal technical teams
• Partner with commercial, flavor, marketing, operations, procurement, regulatory, finance, and R&D functions throughout the development process
• Act as a technical resource for customers during virtual meetings, product reviews, plant visits, and collaborative development sessions
• Communicate project progress, technical findings, risks, and recommendations clearly to relevant stakeholders
• Support customer presentations, industry events, and trade shows as required
• Maintain high standards of laboratory safety, product quality, documentation, and GMP compliance

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, or a related scientific discipline
• At least 15 years of experience in beverage research and development
• Previous experience managing and developing technical or laboratory personnel
• Strong technical background in a variety of beverage formats, including carbonated drinks, still beverages, juice-based products, sports nutrition, energy products, and functional beverages
• Experience developing RTD coffee and tea products
• Familiarity with both alcoholic and alcohol-free beverage concepts
• Stong understanding of beverage formulation, ingredient interactions, processing considerations, and flavor delivery
• Confident sensory evaluator with the ability to assess product performance through taste and aroma
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, solve technical challenges, and make sound decisions with limited supervision

• Experience supporting product commercialization, manufacturing transfers, or scale-up activities
• Experience using pilot-scale processing equipment, including Micro Thermics systems or comparable technology
• Willingness to travel periodically for customer engagements and industry events

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and encourage applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds.