Product Developer II

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: Marketing R&D (Research & Development)

SUB FUNCTION: New Categories, R&D

LOCATION: Southampton

TYPE OF CONTRACT: 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

A primary responsibility of Product Developer II – MO Discovery will be to identify and evaluate new technologies and materials to drive improvement in current products, as well as to facilitate development of new products in the Modern Oral category. This role will involve collaboration with various stakeholder groups to ensure that solutions are aligned with our commercial strategy. The incumbent will be responsible for identifying existing technological and intellectual property gaps. Appropriate recommendations will be made by the incumbent to mitigate these gaps through collaborations with external vendors, research organizations, or similar. This position will report through a Senior Director within Next Generation Product Development management. The candidate filling this role will have both managerial and individual contributor responsibilities.

The scope of this role encompasses a broad range of applicability, including, 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 modern oral white pouch to completely dissolvable lozenge or chew type products. 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.

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

This role will leverage technical expertise in the materials development / non-woven technologies space to complete ‘technology block’ projects – supported by the senior product developer and innovation portfolio leads.

The Product Developer II will also support / lead in the identification of continuous improvement activities for ways of working within the team and upskill the junior developer roles.

Performance would be measured against BAT key leadership capabilities (Behaviours and Outputs).

Bold, Fast, Empowered, Responsible & Diverse

WHAT YOU WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR

• Identify and develop enabling technologies to ensure that BAT brands have a robust pipeline of break-through, consumer-centric products
• Develop external research relationships
• Provide scientific support to advance development across multiple product formats (pouched products, pressed tablets, lozenges, gums)
• Make and defend recommendations for external investment
• Ability to work cross-functionally and support project teams to execute new solutions
• Provide technical support for commercialization
• Assist upper management with development of sub-functional and functional strategy
• Responsible for identifying and utilizing emerging technologies and processes to deliver against the Company’s objectives
• Lead completion of project activities in accordance with R&D innovation processes
• Establish partnerships with various associations, academia, governmental agencies, technical and scientific consultants, etc.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Experience Required

• Experience working in an Innovations environment with demonstrated external network
• Technology scouting
• Desirable experience with formulating or manufacturing of at least some of the following: excipient formulations, component solubilization, component stabilization, delivery strategies, granulating, emulsions, suspensions, tablet formulation, gum formulations
• Can lead-self effectively

Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to liaise with multiple departments and stakeholders
• 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
• 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 relevant field of study (Chemistry, Food science, Technology Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, 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!