New Product Development & Quality Manager in Kirkby Lonsdale

Location: Hybrid, Kirkby Lonsdale

Reports to: Head of Operations

Employment Type: Full-Time

Blendsmiths was established in 2017, with a focus on changing the way the world drinks.

In nearly 10 years of trading, Blendsmiths has become a leading brand in the F&B sector across the UK, renowned for high quality and innovative drinks.

Blended to be different; blended to be extraordinary, we are ambitious about taking the extraordinary to new heights and that’s only possible by building a great team.

New Product Development & Quality Manager

We are looking to hire a creative, practical and organised, New Product Development and Quality Manager to bring new ideas to life and protect the quality of every Blendsmiths product.

In this role, you will develop new drink recipes, new product blends and lead the charge in taking product projects from concept through to launch, and creating inspiring seasonal recipes for our customers to launch across their menu’s.

You will also lead product quality assurance, making sure production blends consistently meet our agreed flavour profiles, and evaluate ingredients and suppliers to build first class and reliable standards.

This is a hands on role for someone who combines an excellent palate with commercial awareness, attention to detail and the ability to turn ideas into finished products. You will work closely with the founders, Supply Chain and Production, Sales and Marketing divisions.

Key Responsibilities

New Product Development & Project Delivery

• Develop new drinks and blends, new pack formats, and opportunities in new product categories.
• Own product projects from initial brief to physical product.
• Management of ingredient trials through to production trials and launch.
• Track customer needs, café menus and emerging drink trends, turning relevant opportunities into clear business development proposals.
• Create and refine formulations, assessing flavour, texture, appearance, solubility and performance in the intended preparation method. Continuously asking the question, how do we do better for our customers?
• Build project plans with clear milestones, costs and approval points. Working closely with the Supply Chain Manager to coordinate ingredients, packaging, suppliers and internal teams to deliver the project plans.

Customer Recipes and Seasonal Recipe Booklets

• Lead the development of Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter customer recipes and recipe booklets, from initial concepts to supporting marketing with publication.
• Create distinctive hot and cold drinks using the Blendsmiths range, balancing creativity with speed of service, repeatability and customer profitability.
• Test and document recipes with precise quantities, methods, serving sizes, presentation guidance and indicative cost per serve.
• Work with Marketing and creative partners on photography, copy, layout and final checks so each booklet is accurate, inspiring and ready ahead of the season.
• Support Sales with tailored recipes, customer tastings and practical guidance that help hospitality customers get more from our products.
• Continuous research of the industry, evaluating trends, opportunities and gaps in the market.

Quality Assurance and Flavour Consistency

• Own routine sensory assessment of every production blend against approved reference samples and agreed standards for flavour, aroma, colour, texture and drink performance.
• Establish consistent tasting methods, documented acceptance criteria, batch records and retained samples so quality decisions are repeatable and traceable.
• Record results and operate an agreed quality sign-off process, placing non-conforming batches on hold and escalating concerns before release.
• Investigate flavour deviations and product complaints with Production and Procurement, identify causes and supporting customer services with verified and corrective action.
• Maintain product and ingredient specifications, control formulation changes and support wider food safety, allergen and quality procedures with Production and relevant technical specialists.

Ingredient Sourcing and Supplier Evaluation

• Identify and assess potential suppliers of matcha, cocoa, sugars, spices and other ingredients, working closely with Procurement and Supply Chain.
• Manage incoming samples and conduct structured tastings and application trials against current ingredients and finished-product standards.
• Document sensory results, consistency and suitability, and coordinate review of specifications, allergen information, traceability and relevant quality documentation.
• Build and maintain an approved supplier and ingredient list with Procurement, including tested backup options for key ingredients.
• Reassess suppliers and ingredient changes as needed; confirm alternative ingredients performance in the finished blend before approving substitutions.
• Provide quality recommendations while Procurement leads commercial negotiations, purchasing and supplier terms.

About you

Practical experience in food or drink development, beverage innovation or an applications role, with evidence of taking ideas through to launch.

A well-developed palate and experience assessing ingredients and finished products using structured sensory methods.

Experience of product quality checks, specifications and traceable records, with the confidence to challenge or hold a product that falls below standard.

Strong recipe development skills and an understanding of how drinks are prepared and served in busy cafés and hospitality venues.

Organised and commercially aware, able to manage several projects, meet deadlines and collaborate across teams.

Experience with powdered drinks, matcha, cocoa or chai, supplier evaluation, and relevant food science or food safety training would be advantageous.

We are ambitious, but we are not a cut-throat environment. We want someone who is firm when needed, clear in decision-making, and relentlessly focused on outcomes, but who leads with respect and emotional intelligence.

Personal Attributes

• Energetic, proactive, and full of ideas
• Commercially sharp and results-driven
• Kind, empathetic, and collaborative
• Firm, decisive, and able to drive clarity and accountability
• Thrives in environments without heavy corporate structure or bureaucracy, needs to be a self-starter
• Resilient and tireless in the pursuit of ambitious goals
• Mostly, you need to be passionate about food and drink, and keen to immerse yourself into the industry

Benefits Package

• Flexible working conditions
• £35,000 - £42,000 salary per annum (based on experience).
• Bonus structure
• Company laptop (Apple MacBook Pro).
• 25 days holiday
• Pension
• Private Health Insurance
• One free coffee a week at a café of your choosing
• Complementary products each month
• Drinks and snacks provided at the office
• On site gym access
• Opportunity to learn, develop and grow with a creative brand

We operate in a friendly, collaborative environment where there is plenty of opportunity to learn, develop and grow amongst a highly creative and driven bunch.

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