Senior Cocoa & Chocolate Scientist

This is a critical role responsible for building the know-how on Cocoa and translate that into innovative and sustainable chocolate confectionery and baked products. This role will work closely with other functions, e.g. procurement, sensory, marketing, regulatory, etc., to ensure an agile and smooth translation of science to products. This role seats in the Global Innovation and Technology Team under the Breakthrough Product Director to ensure direct translation of opportunities against an ambitious and transformational breakthrough innovation strategy that is aligned to the growth ambition and sustainability aspirations of the company. The role requires an individual who is competent and skilled at working across cultures and functions and collaborating to deliver with others. They need to be able to work effectively with external partners to identify appropriate opportunities and drive development of innovative solutions, best practice approaches and systems.

Responsibilities

Know-how on Cocoa Materials and Chocolate Technologies; Translation of above to confectionary and baked applications; Developing solutions to technical hurdles; Providing a technical response to product challenges; Owning and delivering test trials from small-bench to medium-pilot scale and support upscaling to factory scale; Managing project plans; Define and deliver a medium to long term roadmap and align an agenda to drive innovation sustainability and productivity – build the internal cross-functional expertise and relationships to deliver that agenda; Support the Global Procurement team as we build strong and mid-term Sourcing Strategies; Build strong collaborative relationships with Suppliers to capture the best practices on the market and monitor project implementation; Lead the creation and optimization of cocoa blends and chocolate products that engine Innovation pipeline; Build, curate and share deep knowledge of emerging cocoa processing methods, materials science and industry trends; Drive the development of proprietary and sustainable cocoa solutions, including cross-category product designs; Lead research and development of novel cocoa extenders, substitutes and flavour-modulating solutions; Own the end-to-end understanding of scalability, from bean processing through chocolate, confectionery and baked finished goods; Lead prototyping cycles, pilot plant and factory trials, ensuring robust technical validation and readiness for launch; Provide expert technical support to operations, delivering solutions that balance quality, cost, performance and sustainability; Identify, develop and progress patentable opportunities within cocoa materials, chocolate technologies and related processes; Work collaboratively and in partnership with other functions and teams (e.g. Sensory and Consumers Insights, Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality)

Requirements

Purpose-led, resilient and positive; able to work with pace and agility; collaborative and accountable; competent and skilled at working across cultures and functions; able to work effectively with external partners to identify appropriate opportunities and drive development of innovative solutions, best practice approaches and systems; excellent core technical skills; able to understand the needs of the business, consumers and customers to drive an exciting cocoa and chocolate technology agenda; self-starter with a drive for results

Benefits

Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) – this is the business’s annual bonus scheme; Opportunity to self-enrol into Health Cash Plan; Private medical Insurance (if eligible); Enhanced parental leave and a supportive phased return-to-work program to help colleagues balance family and career; Stakeholder Pension Scheme; Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme; 25 days + bank holidays; Holiday Enhancement Scheme; 1 Volunteering Day per year; Cycle to work scheme; Discount and Cashback Scheme – make your everyday spending work hard for you on major high street brands, supermarkets and services; Access to Employee Assistance Programme; Financial Wellbeing Support; Access to great training and development opportunities