Food Scientist (R&D, Alt-chocolate)

About Win-WinWe’re creating cocoa-free chocolate that looks, melts and tastes like the real thing, while avoiding the ethical, social and environmental issues linked to cocoa. We use low-carbon, abundant ingredients, proprietary fermentation and standard chocolate manufacturing equipment to make award-winning vegan m.lk, milk and dark “easy-melt” buttons for B2B partners.The roleYou’ll help develop the next generation of our cocoa-free chocolate, from first formulations through to products ready for scale-up. It’s a practical role with lots of hands-on time in the lab, close collaboration with Operations and Sales, and regular sensory work to make sure our products deliver on taste, texture and functionality. You’ll have day-to-day responsibility for maintaining high food hygiene standards on site, ensuring compliance with HACCP and other food safety requirements, and keeping clear, detailed records of your work. You’ll use statistical and data science approaches to interpret product testing results to ensure decisions are evidence-based.What you’ll doFormulate and prototype new cocoa-free chocolate products, with a focus on flavour, texture and shelf lifeRecruit, train and run sensory panels, and evaluate panel data to guide decision makingCollaborate with Operations on scale-up and with Sales on customer applications and customisationTake responsibility for food hygiene and safety standards on site, including HACCP complianceMaintain accurate documentation, batch records and testing dataWhat you’ll bringBSc and MSc in Food Science, Food Chemistry or a related field3+ years in product development, ideally in chocolate, confectionery, plant-based or sensory-led categoriesStrong understanding of ingredient functionality, sensory science and flavour chemistryExperience with data science and statistical analysis for sensory and product testingHACCP Level 3 or higher, with practical experience applying food safety systemsA practical, collaborative approach and an interest in sustainable food innovationIf you don’t meet every single point but have relevant skills and motivation, we’d still like to hear from you.How we workThis role is based in our London lab and office with at least 4 days per week on site. Occasional travel may be required.Salary and benefits£39,000–£45,000 per year, depending on experience, plus performance-based incentivesProfessional development and opportunities to grow with a rapidly scaling companyA collaborative, inclusive workplace that values different perspectives and creativityA vibrant office in the centre of East London with a barista-level coffee machine and great snacksThe chance to contribute to a more sustainable and ethical food systemRight to workApplicants must already have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we cannot offer visa sponsorship for this role, and applications from candidates who require sponsorship cannot be considered.

Created: 2025-09-10