Buckinghamshire | Laboratory-Based | competitive salary and excellent benefits package

The opportunity

Laborare Group is supporting a growing food ingredients business in the appointment of an Applications Technologist to join its Food & Nutrition team in Buckinghamshire.

This is a hands-on, customer-focused technical position, working from a dedicated food laboratory to develop applications across a broad range of food and beverage categories.

The opportunity could suit a Food Science or Food Technology graduate beginning their career or someone with two to five years’ experience in an applications, new product development or technical food role.

The role

As Applications Technologist, you will develop and test food and beverage applications using a broad portfolio of specialist ingredients while providing formulation and technical support to customers.

You will:

• Develop and test food and beverage applications using a broad portfolio of specialist ingredients.
• Undertake application projects across beverage, savoury, sweet, bakery, confectionery and wider food-manufacturing categories.
• Provide technical support and formulation expertise to customers.
• Build a detailed understanding of ingredient functionality and how different ingredients can work together to create complete formulation solutions.
• Prepare product samples, prototypes and demonstrations for customers.
• Support customer projects from initial brief through to formulation and evaluation.
• Work closely with sales and technical colleagues to understand customer requirements.
• Assist with customer presentations, laboratory visits and technical demonstrations.
• Record formulations, test results and project information accurately.
• Evaluate ingredients and finished applications for performance, stability, flavour, texture and appearance.
• Contribute to the development of innovative applications that demonstrate the value of the company’s ingredient portfolio.
• Maintain the laboratory, equipment and ingredient samples to the required standards.

The position requires someone who enjoys practical laboratory work and can combine scientific understanding, creativity and commercial awareness.

About you

You will be an enthusiastic and commercially minded food-science professional with an interest in ingredient functionality, formulation and product development.

You will bring:

• A degree in Food Science, Food Technology or a closely related discipline.
• Graduate-level knowledge or between two and five years’ relevant industry experience.
• Experience or academic exposure to applications, new product development, food technology or technical food manufacturing.
• Knowledge of one or more food and beverage categories, which could include beverage, savoury, sweet, bakery, confectionery or general food manufacturing.
• An interest in understanding how ingredients interact within finished formulations.
• A practical and methodical approach to laboratory work.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• The confidence to work collaboratively with customers, sales colleagues and technical specialists.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• The ability to manage several application projects and priorities.
• A proactive attitude and willingness to learn.

Previous industry experience would be beneficial but is not essential, making this an excellent opportunity for a relevant graduate as well as someone in the early stages of their food-industry career.

What we offer

This appointment offers the opportunity to build or further develop a career in food applications within a growing and commercially focused Food & Nutrition team.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Work from a dedicated food applications laboratory.
• Gain experience across a broad range of food and beverage categories.
• Develop a detailed understanding of specialist ingredients and their functionality.
• Work on practical formulation and customer-development projects.
• Collaborate closely with experienced commercial and technical colleagues.
• Build customer-facing technical experience.
• Contribute to innovative ingredient and formulation solutions.
• Develop your technical and commercial capabilities within a growing business.

A competitive salary and excellent benefits package will be offered, reflecting the experience of the successful candidate.

This is a permanent, full-time position working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Location

This is a laboratory-based position in Buckinghamshire.

Applicants must be based within a reasonable commuting distance or willing to relocate to Buckinghamshire.

Applicants must already have a valid permit and the legal right to work in the United Kingdom.

Apply

If you have a degree in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline and would like to develop your career in food applications and product development, please apply using your CV or LinkedIn profile.

All applications will be treated confidentially. Laborare Group will not share your details with the client without your prior knowledge and consent.