Product Developer

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. With products like VELO, VUSE and GLO we are on a mission to decrease the health impact of our industry. To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to Be The Change. Come, join us on this journey!

British American Tobacco UK has an exciting opportunity for a Product Developer in Southampton.

Key Objectives and Expectations:

The key purpose of the role is to lead technology development workstreams for BAT’s oral product category (Modern Oral). A primary responsibility will be to ideate, 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 using existing and novel technologies, addressing unmet consumer needs as well as navigating existing & emerging regulatory requirements, culminating in the filing of 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. Product formats will range from conventional modern oral white pouches to other novel formats.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify and develop enabling technologies and formulations, utilising levers such as 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 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.
• Build and leverage relationships with 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.

What We Are Looking For:

• Demonstrated laboratory and early project management experience.
• History of technical curiosity with problem-solving skills.
• Holds industry experience in product development (preferred).
• Demonstrate experience of lab management with procedures and processes.
• To have a rough understanding of regulation/compliance.
• Understanding of project timescales and how the role contributes to the broader R&D innovation pipeline.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ability to collaborate with internal/external capabilities and ability to plan and prioritise tasks based on business need.
• Degree-level qualification in a relevant field of study (Chemistry, Food science, Technology science, Materials science, engineering, etc).

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.
• Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together.
• You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalised growth programmes 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 programme, 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.