Job Description
Global Research and Innovation (R&I) Tea Science and Technology Lead
Application Deadline: 16 September 2026
Department: New Product Development
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Andover
Andover
Great People Work Here
Are you searching for a career with bags of variety, in an environment that celebrates differences and empowers collaboration, which values people and will encourage you to make an impact? Do you want the freedom to explore, and the opportunities to find new ways and to innovate? If so, TwiningsOvo delivers.
We’re looking for people who don’t just come here to get the job done, but who have a real passion for the brand and a desire to do the best job they can. In return, we offer an inspiring package of employee benefits - to show just how much we value you. This role will offer you the scope for growth and the tools to aim high.
We are looking for an accomplished Senior R&D Manager to join our team to define and lead the global tea science and technology program for two of our priority innovation platforms. This is a highly visible role with significant influence on innovation, future technology strategy and business growth.
Key Responsibilities
This role will include defining and setting up ways of working with the global cross functional team and external partners to drive innovations for wellbeing. This role will also include strong partnership with Master Blenders, and Tea Supply Chain to define and implement a future proof technology roadmap alongside overseeing the safeguarding of quality and food safety of NPD as well as well as acting as a change agent to foster a culture of digital curiosity and a digital-first mindset within R&I.
This role will drive the tea science and technology to develop new differentiated product propositions that sustainably deliver wellbeing benefits anchored in strong consumer needs.
In this role you will shape the program by working closely with the entire Research and Innovation team, Master Blenders and with the Supply Chain of the Future team, building partnerships with commercial teams, other ABF companies and external partners and by leveraging your deep knowledge of tea, process development and E2E innovation.
This role will include defining and setting up ways of working with the global cross functional team and external partners to drive innovations for wellbeing. This role will also include strong partnership with Master Blenders, and Tea Supply Chain to define and implement a future proof technology roadmap alongside overseeing the safeguarding of quality and food safety of NPD as well as well as acting as a change agent to foster a culture of digital curiosity and a digital-first mindset within R&I.
This role promises to be both challenging and rewarding, offering you the chance to make a significant impact on our global R&I agenda and overall brand growth. We are excited to welcome a passionate and innovative individual with strong strategic skills and technical expertise to our team!
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
We are looking for someone with:
- A degree in food science, chemical engineering or relevant scientific subject.
- Proven experience in strategy development and successful implementation
- Proven ability to translate consumer habits and needs into in-market product/pack innovation and evidence of delivery
- Strong analytical and creative thinker who solves complex problems, generates meaningful insights and delivers technically rigorous innovation.
- Demonstrated track record of solving complex technical challenges and translating emerging science into commercially successful innovation.
- Adept at challenging assumptions and transforming ideas into outcomes that meet consumer and business needs.
- Highly experienced people manager, with strong track record of i) coaching for growth of individuals and the team, ii) high team engagement and talent retention and attraction and iii) building followship.
- Track record of collaborating and influencing manufacturing/technical and commercial teams across E2E innovation.
- Practitioner of CQV with evidence of successful delivery across R&I and Supply Chain programs.
- Honed management skills across diverse project portfolio.
- Experience in project leadership/management at a regional and global level.Experience in leading, coaching and mentoring people and teams.
- Experience in delivering change programs and fostering a culture shift within a team.
- Proven ability to form partnerships, both internally across functions and externally (suppliers, innovation partners, academics), holding them accountable for their deliverables
- Competent in budget and program expenditure management within and across financial year.
Significant experience leading with high technical rigour and business impact minimum of one of:
- Tea Innovation Programs
- Scientific Research Programs
- Technology Transformation Program
- Transformative Process Development Programs
We are particularly interested in speaking to candidates with experience in:
- Polyphenolic Chemistry, Emulsion Chemistry, Flavour Chemistry
- Experienced in range of processing methods i.e. extraction, granulation, infusion, fluidisation.
- Proficient in 6-sigma, lean manufacturing, fault tree analysis or similar and in HACCP.
Benefits
- Yearly bonus based on personal contribution and financial performance
- Flexible working options
- 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays and the option to buy and sell holidays
- Onsite Gym and Wellbeing Centre
- Perkbox – employee discount scheme with discounts online, in high street stores, cinema, holidays, restaurants and many more
- Pension scheme with your contributions matched for up to 10% of your salary
- Cycle to work scheme
- SimplyHealth Cash plan
- Onsite Staff shop and online staff discounts
- Bupa Private Medical Insurance
- Competitive Car Allowance
- Electric Car Scheme
- Access to LinkedIn Learning
- Access to ABF Networking, connect, collaborate, and grow across the ABF Group.
