Product Developer Ii - Oral Nicotine Products

BAT is evolving at pace - truly like no other organisation.

To achieve the ambition, we have set for ourselves, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to live our ethos every day. Come be a part of this journey!

SENIORITY LEVEL: Mid-Senior Level

FUNCTION: New Categories R&D

SUB FUNCTION: Modern Oral Centre of Excellence

LOCATION: Southampton

CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent

BENEFITS:

• UK yearly Incentive Bonus – competitive % based on business results and average annual salary.
• Attractive Private Pension Plan - up to 15%, Private Medical cover, Doctor @hand-24/7 GP appointments, by video or by phone, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the world.
• Share Reward Scheme (free shares and share saving scheme), Group Personal Accident Insurance, Life Assurance.
• Flexible Benefits Scheme: Tax Return Assistance, Cycle to Work, Holiday Trading, Dental Insurance, Travel Insurance; Onsite Gym and Gyms Discounts-discounts at over 3,700 gyms, SPAs, pools, studios, and outdoor fitness events across the UK; Season Ticket Loans-Interest free loans for purchase of annual tickets for public transport.

ROLE POSITIONING AND OBJECTIVES

What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?

Key purpose of the role is to own and drive technology development workstreams for BAT’s oral product category (Modern Oral). A primary responsibility will be to develop and evaluate new technologies and materials to drive innovation and improvements of current products. This role will involve collaboration with various partner groups to ensure that solutions are aligned with our commercial strategy. The incumbent will be responsible for leading and delivering innovation projects addressing existing technological and intellectual property gaps, unmet consumer needs as well as existing & emerging regulatory requirements and to secure intellectual property rights on the inventions in collaboration with the Patents & Legal teams.

The scope of this role encompasses a broad range of applicability, predominantly, but not limited to modern oral products manufactured using pharmaceutical grade nicotine, as well as products in dietary supplement and nutraceutical categories. Product formats will range from conventional modern oral white pouches to other novel formats. The ideal candidate will possess a strong fundamental science background, e.g., Chemistry, Chemical or Materials Engineering, Food Science, and the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment. They must also demonstrate experience of working in a related laboratory environment.

What is the direct impact of this role on the team or organisation?

This role will leverage technical expertise to deliver ‘technology block’ projects – supported by a senior Product Developer and a team of Product Developers and senior technologists. Collaboration with other Centres of Excellence within R&D, external vendors, research organizations and innovation partners, and similar, is an essential part of the role.

The Product Developer II will also drive the identification of continuous improvement activities for ways of working within the team and upskill junior Product Developers and senior technologists. Coaching of junior talent, and collaborative leadership within the team and across teams are critical to the role.

WHAT YOU WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR

• Identify and develop enabling technologies and formulations, utilising levers such as – but not limited to – novel ingredients, materials, or process technologies, to address consumer opportunity spaces, intellectual property gaps and emerging regulatory requirements for the Modern Oral category.
• Translate data into actionable insights and testable hypotheses, leading to technical solutions to complex problems.
• Lead the technical development and verification of technologies and formulations from problem definition and ideation through to verification of prototype performance.
• Create scientifically robust technical and consumer learning plans.
• Coaching and technical development of junior team members.
• Build and leverage relationships and external research partners and suppliers.
• Lead completion of project activities in accordance with R&D innovation and governance processes.
• Secure IP in partnership with patent attorneys.
• Provide technical support for future scale-up.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE

Experience Required

• Experience in R&D (preferably FMCG, Pharma or another applicable adjacent field) is essential.
• Experience in in formulation development is desirable.
• Can lead-self effectively.

Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required

• Track record for solving complex technical challenges in a relevant field.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to liaise with multiple departments and partners.
• Planning & ability to manage a portfolio of assigned projects/activities.
• A drive to leverage specialist product knowledge to improve ways of working.
• Fundamental understanding of regulation and compliance.
• Fundamental understanding of IP, and when to protect developments.
• Experience in a supervisory position would be beneficial, with a proven ability to guide junior team members, ensuring high quality outputs.
• Consumer-centric attitude with understanding of consumer research and impact in the overall development process.
• Able to develop both individual and team technical capabilities.
• Ability to actively participate in a team-based environment and collaboratively work in cross functional teams.

Education / Qualifications / Certifications Required

• Degree-level qualification in a science or technical field (e.g., chemistry, pharmacology, food science, biomedical sciences, etc)

WE ARE BAT

At BAT we are committed to our Purpose of creating A Better Tomorrow. This is what drives our people and our passion for innovation. See what is possible for you at BAT.

• Global Top Employer with 53,000 BAT people across more than 180 markets
• Brands sold in over 200 markets, made in 44 factories in 42 countries.
• Newly established Tech Hubs building world-class capabilities for innovation in 4 strategic locations.
• Diversity leader in the Financial Times and International Women’s Day Best Practice winner
• Seal Award winner – one of 50 most sustainable companies

BELONGING, ACHIEVING, TOGETHER

Collaboration, diversity, and teamwork underpin everything we do here at BAT. We know that collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals. Come bring your difference!