Senior Heated Products Substrate Developer in Southampton

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World. To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey! Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together!

British American Tobacco UK has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Heated Products Substrate Developer in Southampton. The Senior HP Substrate Developer role sits within New Categories R&D Consumable Discovery Group and works under the Head of Heated Product Substrates & Blending Innovation. The role is accountable for the technical leadership and delivery of assigned substrate‑led technology blocks supporting Horizon 2 and 3 Heated Products and Cross Category initiatives.

The role acts as a senior technical expert in HP substrate chemistry and material systems, including tobacco and non‑tobacco matrices, functional fillers, binders, gels and coatings to deliver robust, scalable and compliant consumable solutions. The Senior HP Substrate Developer translates consumer and product requirements into clear technical substrate specifications that deliver intended product performance when deployed at scale.

The Senior HP Substrate Developer actively supports and contributes to portfolio strategy, prioritisation and capability development through technical insights and delivery experience, underpinned by high‑quality execution, sound technical judgement, proactive risk identification and management. This role is a critical delivery dependency for Heated Products and Cross Category product pipelines, directly influencing product feasibility, robustness and differentiation, manufacturability and regulatory readiness.

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include:

• Lead and deliver assigned substrate‑led technology blocks, accountable for OTIF delivery through Scope, Invent and Verify phases of PLM.
• Deliver technically sound substrate solutions embedding considerations of ESG, cost, manufacturing scalability, compliance with internal standards, applicable external legal frameworks and workplace EHS.
• Define, own and maintain substrate technical specifications, that translate product and consumer requirements into reproducible formulations suitable for pilot and commercial scale.
• Apply deep understanding of processing technologies (e.g. forming, extrusion, coating, layering, gelation, drying and composite processing) to ensure substrates are chemically, physically and thermally robust.
• Ensure substrate solutions are technically capable of delivering consistent intended product performance, supporting downstream sensory, product and manufacturing requirements.
• Diagnose and resolve formulation or performance issues through informed selection of materials, structured experimentation, data‑driven root cause analysis and expert judgement.
• Act as project‑level technical lead, coordinating activities across R&D, Process Technology, Manufacturing Innovation, Blending, Flavours & Extracts, Procurement and external partners.
• Lead or support external co‑development activities within defined projects, ensuring clear deliverables, knowledge capture and alignment with BAT IP strategy.
• Coach and technically develop direct reports, embedding standards of scientific rigour, documentation and safe working.
• Act as a role model for technical excellence, disciplined experimentation and EHS compliance across laboratory, pilot and external environments.

What are we looking for?

• Degree level qualification in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience within HP / New Categories R&D or adjacent advanced materials environments, with deep expertise in chemistry‑led substrate development.
• Proven delivery of substrate‑based consumable technologies, from discovery through pilot scale validation and scale up readiness.
• Strong hands‑on experience in formulation chemistry and material system design, including understanding of chemical interactions, stability and performance drivers.
• Hands‑on experience with processing technologies relevant to HP substrates, including forming, extrusion, coating, gelation or composite material processing.
• In‑depth knowledge of HP substrate chemistry, material behaviour and system integration, including impact of processing techniques and formulations on final product performance.
• Recognised technical expert in substrate chemistry and material systems, with the ability to translate fundamental chemical and physical principles into robust, scalable technical solutions.
• Strong understanding of processing–structure–performance relationships, enabling substrates to be designed for both function and manufacturability.
• As well as strong scientific rigour and analytical capability, with the drive to progress complex technologies through structured experimentation and evidence‑based decision making.
• Awareness of external legal frameworks, internal BAT standards, ESG expectations and workplace EHS requirements relevant to consumable development.

What we offer you?

We offer a market‑leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility). Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work‑life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives. You’ll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills. We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes.

WHY JOIN BAT?

We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions. At BAT, we champion collaboration, inclusion, and partnership as the bedrock of our values. We wish to foster an environment where every individual can thrive, irrespective of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio‑economic and professional background, as well as diverse perspectives and thinking styles. We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop our culture of inclusivity and better achieve our business objectives.

We view career breaks not as obstacles but as opportunities and encourage everyone, without hesitation, to apply. Through our Global Returners program, we provide support to professionals seeking to re‑enter the workforce after an extended absence, be it for family care, parental leave, national service, sabbatical, or starting their own venture. Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT.

We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process to support you performing at your best, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role you applied for. We are wholeheartedly committed to optimising your prospects of success by making suitable arrangements so that you may showcase your full potential.