Job Description

Location:

Cardiff, South Wales

Hours:

Full-time, Monday-Friday (some flexibility around production schedules)

Salary:

35,000+

About Us

Cardiff Canning is one of the UK's leading contract canning facilities, specialising in Ready-to-Drink (RTD) beverages for some of the country's most exciting brands -- from craft cocktails to functional sodas. We pride ourselves on quality, precision, and innovation.

As we expand our capacity and capabilities, we're bringing

New Product Development (NPD)

back in-house to strengthen our innovation pipeline and ensure that every recipe we produce is commercially viable, stable, and production-ready.

The Role

We're looking for a hands-on

NPD Technologist

to lead the development and optimisation of beverages -- from initial concept to production handover. You'll work closely with our operations, blending, and canning teams to ensure each recipe delivers on flavour, stability, cost, and scalability.

This is a practical, lab-based and production-linked role -- ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoys seeing their creations go from the bench to the can line.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and optimise beverage formulations across alcoholic and non-alcoholic categories (RTDs, sodas, juices, and functional drinks). Translate client briefs into scalable, commercially viable recipes. Conduct bench-scale trials, blending, and stability testing (pH, Brix, carbonation, ABV, etc.). Support full-scale production trials and first runs. Maintain accurate formulation and batch records. Work with suppliers to source ingredients, flavourings, and packaging compatible with our canning process. Liaise with clients throughout the development process -- providing samples, feedback, and technical advice. Ensure all recipes meet food safety, shelf-life, and regulatory standards. Support the development of Cardiff Canning's own white-label and house formulations.

About You

Minimum 2 years' experience in beverage formulation, flavour development, or a related food/drink NPD environment. Strong understanding of ingredients, flavour balance, and beverage chemistry. Confident working with acids, sweeteners, and stabilisers within shelf-stable drinks. Highly organised, with excellent documentation and communication skills. Enjoys problem-solving and continuous improvement -- practical as well as creative. Comfortable working cross-functionally with production, blending, and quality teams.

Desirable:

Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or similar. Experience with alcoholic RTDs, functional drinks, or flavour house collaboration. Familiarity with Velcorin, pasteurisation.

What We Offer

A growing, independent business where ideas are encouraged and implemented quickly. Opportunity to shape the direction of our new in-house NPD function. Exposure to a wide range of brands, products, and processes. Competitive salary, training, and career progression as we scale the facility.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a short cover note outlining your experience and what excites you about beverage development to

ben@cardiffcanning.co.uk

with the subject line

"NPD Technologist - Cardiff Canning."

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From 35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

On-site parking
Work Location: In person