Sr. Scientist, Beverage

Glanbia • Sharonville, OH

52d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Beverage Scientist will lead formulation, scale-up, and commercialization of beverage systems within the Glanbia Flavors portfolio, with deep hands-on expertise in microthermic (MicroThermics®) processing. This role partners cross-functionally with Flavor Creation, Sensory & Consumer Science, Quality, Regulatory, and Operations to deliver best-in-class ready-to-drink (RTD) and concentrated beverage solutions across dairy, plant-based, performance nutrition, hydration, and energy platforms. The ideal candidate brings a strong grasp of thermal processing, stability engineering, and flavor/ingredient interactions to enable rapid prototyping, robust shelf-life, and efficient commercialization.

Requirements

• BS/MS/PhD in Food Science, Dairy Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 7+ years (5+ with MS/PhD) in beverage R&D with demonstrated microthermic/UHT experience and successful launches.
• Demonstrated understanding of pre-mix formulation and degradation/stability of vitamins and bioactives.
• Strong formulation skills across proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, hydrocolloids, emulsions, sweeteners, acids, minerals, and flavor systems.
• Working knowledge of colloid science, protein chemistry (dairy and/or plant), emulsion stability, and heat-induced changes.
• Hands-on experience with homogenization, deaeration, inline mixing, carbonation (nice to have), and aseptic techniques.
• Proficiency with DoE/statistics and digital documentation (e.g., ELN, LIMS, PLM); data-driven decision-making.
• Familiarity with relevant regulatory frameworks (FDA, CFR, FSMA/PCQI concepts) and labeling/claims considerations.
• Excellent project leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with high-protein RTD, lactose-free, plant-based milks, energy/hydration, or functional/fortified beverages.
• Knowledge of shelf-life modeling, accelerated stability, and packaging interactions (PET, HDPE, Tetra Pak).
• Supplier and OEM engagement for ingredients (proteins, hydrocolloids, sweeteners) and processing equipment.
• Experience leading tech transfers and commercial scale-ups in North America and/or EU.
• Exposure to sensory methods (triangle, QDA, CATA) and consumer co-creation.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end product development for beverages: concepting, bench-top formulation, microthermic runs, pilot, and plant trials through launch.
• Formulate beverage with vitamin-mineral premix.
• Formulate around desired shelf life.
• Design and execute microthermic/UHT/HTST thermal profiles to emulate commercial conditions and predict product performance.
• Translate flavor briefs into scalable beverage systems, optimizing flavor delivery, sweetness, mouthfeel, and masking across bases (dairy, plant, water, protein).
• Build and manage experimental designs (DoE) to screen ingredients, processing parameters, and packaging interactions for stability and sensory quality.
• Lead microthermic lab operations (scheduling, sanitation, CIP/SIP coordination, run documentation, sample retention, and safety compliance).
• Partner with Process Engineering and Operations to define critical control points (CCPs) and tech transfer requirements from lab to pilot/plant.
• Characterize product stability using relevant analytics (viscosity, pH, density, osmolality, phase separation, sedimentation, protein stability, heat stability).
• Collaborate with Sensory & Consumer Science on test design, data interpretation, and product optimization driven by consumer insights.
• Author robust specifications, batch sheets, and process instructions; ensure alignment with QA/QC and Regulatory (labeling, claims, compliance).
• Troubleshoot scale-up issues (fouling, burn-on, phase instability, flavor fade, sweetness drift) and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain a strong external radar on ingredient innovations, processing technologies, and packaging trends; engage key suppliers and equipment OEMs.
• Coach junior scientists and technicians; foster a culture of safety, quality, speed, and documentation excellence.
• Operate benchtop/pilot MicroThermics® systems (e.g., UHT/HTST, Direct/Indirect, tubular/plate) for dairy and non-dairy beverages.
• Develop and validate thermal profiles (e.g., 135–150°C UHT; 72–95°C HTST) with hold times tailored to product matrices and desired shelf-life.
• Calibrate and verify critical sensors (flow, temperature, pressure) and maintain accurate run logs and material balances.
• Execute CIP/SIP procedures; select cleaning regimes based on soil and protein load to minimize fouling and flavor carryover.
• Simulate commercial processes (homogenization, deaeration, in-line blending) and translate parameters to pilot/plant equipment.
• Implement aseptic techniques for sterile fills; coordinate environmental monitoring and packaging compatibility checks.

Benefits

• The opportunity to develop your career on a global stage, continuous learning through an on-demand learning platform, and a competitive compensation package including staff discounts, generous family leave policy, health & dental plan, competitive salary, 401K.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level