RD&A Scientist - Beverages

About Kerry

About the role

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative RD&A Scientist to join our Beverage team. This role is responsible for developing and optimizing beverage formulations across various formats including sparkling, still, juice, and functional beverages. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise, strong sensory capabilities, and a collaborative mindset to drive product innovation and meet customer expectations.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and prepare beverage formulations, syrups, and concentrates at lab and pilot plant scale.
• Test and refine formulations to meet specific taste profiles and regulatory standards.
• Customize beverage ingredients independently or within cross-functional teams.
• Calculate calories and understand the role of sweeteners and nutrients in formulations.
• Facilitate sample shipments for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support beverage and taste development under GMP and safety standards.
• Manage multiple tasks and deadlines with speed and accuracy.
• Master formulation techniques for RTD (Ready-to-Drink) and RTM (Ready-to-Make) formats.
• Apply exceptional sensory skills to define and discriminate flavor profiles under tight timelines.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of beverage processing techniques and nutritional value calculations.
• Communicate formulation concepts effectively in commercial settings with customers.
• Apply mathematical skills to work with dilutions, percentages, and ppm calculations.
• Exhibit self-motivation and resourcefulness in solving complex formulation challenges.

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related Applied Science.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in beverage development and formulation.
• Strong scientific and analytical aptitude.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with SAP is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively.

The typical hiring range for this role is $75,602 to $123,432 annually and is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, location, etc. In addition to your pay, Kerry offers benefits such as a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and retirement contribution (all benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements).