At a Glance
- Tasks: Create unique flavour solutions using science and data to enhance products.
- Company: Join British American Tobacco, a global leader in innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive bonuses, flexible holidays, and diverse health plans.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of inclusivity and continuous personal growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative journey towards a smokeless world.
- Qualifications: Degree in a scientific field and experience in flavour development.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
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 Flavourist I in Southampton
What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?
This role applies flavour science, sensory expertise, and data-driven approaches to design and deliver differentiated flavour systems that create competitive advantage within BAT’s product portfolio.
The Flavourist I operates with a strong focus on speed, quality, and consumer preference, delivering flavours that are optimised for specific product platforms and capable of rapid scale-up.
The role is expected to integrate digital tools, supplier innovation, and structured ways of working to accelerate flavour development, improve efficiency, and enable reuse of knowledge and systems.
What is the direct impact of this role on the team or organization?
- Contributes directly to BAT’s product success by delivering flavour solutions that:
- Enhance consumer appeal and product superiority
- Enable faster product development cycles
- Build distinctive, proprietary flavour capability
Supports the development of internal capability and contributes to the evolution of flavour development as a data-driven, digitally enabled discipline.
Your key responsibilities will include
- Design, co-create, and deliver differentiated flavour solutions that achieve clear consumer preference and align with product, brand, and business requirements.
- Lead flavour development projects from concept to scale-up, ensuring robustness, consistency, manufacturability, and delivery against timelines.
- Accelerate innovation through rapid prototyping, test-and-learn methodologies, and efficient decision-making, balancing speed, quality, and risk.
- Leverage data-driven, digital, and AI-enabled tools to accelerate ideation, optimise flavour formulations, improve outcomes, and enhance knowledge generation.
- Maintain high-quality data capture, documentation, and knowledge management practices to ensure traceability, continuous learning, and effective reuse of flavour solutions and building blocks.
- Collaborate effectively with internal collaborators and external flavour partners, applying expertise and innovation capabilities to deliver superior flavour solutions.
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory, quality, and intellectual property requirements, protecting BAT’s proprietary flavour technologies and competitive advantage across global markets.
- Continuously develop technical expertise and contribute to capability building, driving personal growth while enhancing the uniqueness, consistency, and excellence of BAT product flavours.
What are we looking for?
- Relevant flavour development expertise with a proven track record of delivering consumer-relevant flavour solutions within a defined product category and working effectively with external flavour suppliers and partners.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration and project delivery skills, with experience operating in fast-paced product development environments, managing competing priorities, and delivering results within challenging timelines.
- Proficiency in digital tools and project management practices, including formulation management, data capture, project tracking, and the application of strong organizational, time management, and teamwork skills to drive successful outcomes.
- Technical expertise in flavour science, supported by a background in food science, flavours, perfumery, scents, or a related field, with a strong understanding of flavour chemistry and flavour development principles.
- Strong sensory and analytical capabilities, with the ability to evaluate and optimise flavour profiles, solve complex problems, and make data-informed decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Digital and continuous improvement approach, including the ability to leverage data, modelling, and AI-enabled tools, while finding opportunities to simplify processes and improve ways of working.
- Effective collaboration and execution skills, demonstrated through strong cross-functional and external stakeholder management, alongside excellent organisational, time management, and delivery-focused capabilities.
- Degree-level qualification in a relevant scientific field (e. g. chemistry, food science, or related discipline)
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.
Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
- 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.
Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience here .
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.
Flavourist I in Southampton employer: British American Tobacco
British American Tobacco is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of Southampton or London. Employees benefit from comprehensive perks, including a performance bonus and opportunities for professional growth, all while contributing to a company committed to meeting global regulatory standards in the chemical compliance sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Flavourist I in Southampton
✨Join Food Science Communities
Get involved in food science forums and communities, both online and offline. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit can be goldmines for job leads and valuable insights. Plus, you’ll connect with other food enthusiasts who might even point you towards openings at companies like British American Tobacco.
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Check out exhibitions and workshops in the food science sector. Events like the International Congress on Food Technology are not just knowledge hubs, but also great networking opportunities. You never know who you might bump into – perhaps a hiring manager from British American Tobacco!
✨Show Off Your Passion for Food Tech
Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like British American Tobacco, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you're fresh out of uni, make use of your career services! They often have exclusive job boards and connections with companies looking for graduates. Don't forget to mention your interest in roles like those at British American Tobacco, and they might have insider tips or referrals just for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Flavourist I in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at British American Tobacco, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at British American Tobacco.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to British American Tobacco. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at British American Tobacco. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at British American Tobacco
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to British American Tobacco’s mission.
