Beverage Developer

About the role

We are a trusted partner to our customers, an industry leader in clean label ingredients, and a true collaborator. We work with our customers in ways that respect people and the environment. A commitment to Purely Better™ drives our innovation team to discover new, on-trend solutions. As a Beverage Developer, you will support the growth of our beverage portfolio by collaborating with flavorists and product development scientists throughout the innovation process.

This role will work directly with customers, sales, flavor creation, and applications teams to develop winning beverage solutions utilizing Vibrant’s extensive portfolio of natural ingredients. The ideal candidate is a highly technical beverage expert with strong project management skills and a passion for working with customers to bring innovative beverage concepts to life.

At Vibrant, you'll find more than an exciting career opportunity. You'll be working in a new state-of-the-art customer innovation center and join a team passionate about science, innovation, and helping customers succeed. Our collaborative culture encourages curiosity, creativity, and continuous learning while providing opportunities to make meaningful contributions from day one.

Responsibilities

• Develop beverage solutions for customers including coffee, tea, protein, energy, alcohol, and refresher-type products that are cost-effective, stable, and utilize the breadth of the Vibrant Ingredient portfolio (functional ingredients, coffee & tea extracts, flavors).
• Complete stability testing, documentation, costing, and support commercialization.
• Manage and drive projects to successful outcomes.
• Multitask and prioritize projects effectively.
• Develop technical-to-technical relationships with customers.
• Support customer visits with sales.
• Participate in Life Cycle Management of products, focusing on reducing costs and maximizing margin.
• Complete all necessary stability testing.
• Participate in Innovation presentations, ideation, and rapid prototyping.
• Support production runs of new products for select customers.
• Develop a wide range of beverage applications with experience in product processing (pasteurization, homogenization, hot-fill, indirect and direct steam processing, carbonation, canning).
• Follow basic GLP, ISO procedures, safety protocols, lab notebooks, and/or other electronic record-keeping.
• May supervise Technicians.

Requirements

• Science degree (preferably in Food Science/Food Engineering) from a reputable school.
• Proven track record of success in beverage development in the Food Service or beverage industry.
• Full working knowledge of beverage development.
• Good knowledge of manufacturing processes and delivery technologies.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Good computer software skills including MS Office (Excel, PPT, Word, etc.), Salesforce.

Skills & Competencies

• More than 6 years of beverage development experience, with a proven track record in sales within beverage categories.
• Experience in protein beverages is an advantage.
• Ability to produce a beverage from concept to commercialization.
• Excellent technical execution and project management skills.
• Highly developed organizational skills.
• Well-developed communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Great presentation skills and a love for customers.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to sit, stand, and walk; use hands and fingers; talk and/or hear.
• May be required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

About Vibrant Ingredients

Founded in 1954, Vibrant Ingredients is a leading provider of natural, clean label ingredients and systems that power extraordinary food and beverage experiences. The company’s broad portfolio — including natural flavors, botanical extracts, functional nutrition, cold brew coffee, tea essences, and food protection solutions — enhances taste, texture, color, shelf life, and performance across a wide range of applications. Vibrant operates four state-of-the-art facilities across the United States and works with leading brands, manufacturers, and foodservice operators. With vertically integrated capabilities and a proven track record of innovation and execution, Vibrant helps customers accelerate to market without compromise.