Senior Beverage Technologist

Job Title: Beverage Technologist

About the Role

We"re looking for a creative and hands-on Beverage Technologist to support the development of innovative beverage solutions from concept through commercialization. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys formulation work, customer interaction, product demonstrations, and bringing new beverage concepts to life. You"ll collaborate closely with product development, customers, and cross-functional teams to create market-ready products across a variety of beverage categories.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and support beverage formulations across multiple product categories.
• Prepare prototype samples and conduct bench-top experiments.
• Collect, analyze, and communicate formulation and testing results.
• Participate in and lead sensory evaluations, tastings, and product assessments.
• Support pilot trials, scale-up activities, and commercialization efforts.
• Maintain accurate formulation records, lab notebooks, and project documentation.
• Create beverage applications for customer presentations, demonstrations, and trade shows.
• Collaborate with customers on product development, labeling, regulatory considerations, and pilot activities.
• Troubleshoot formulation, processing, and stability challenges.
• Manage raw material inventory and maintain an organized laboratory environment.
• Support alternative ingredient sourcing and provide technical recommendations.
• Compound and blend flavor systems as needed for development projects.
• Stay current on beverage trends, ingredients, and industry innovations.

Qualifications

Required

• 2-5+ years of beverage formulation and product development experience.
• Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related scientific field.
• Experience developing beverages in categories such as carbonated, alcoholic, functional, or UHT products.
• Knowledge of finished product labeling and pilot plant operations.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• Experience with ready-to-drink (RTD), ready-to-mix (RTM), or plant-based beverage products.
• Customer-facing experience, including presentations and technical support.
• Strong computer skills and comfort learning new software systems.
• Passion for innovation, product development, and continuous learning.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing, innovation-focused team where you"ll have direct involvement in developing new beverage concepts, collaborating with customers, and bringing products from idea to market. If you"re passionate about beverage science and enjoy a blend of technical, creative, and customer-facing work, we"d love to hear from you.

Work Environment

This position is primarily laboratory-based with occasional production-area support. Candidates should be comfortable working in a GMP-regulated environment, handling common food allergens, and lifting up to 30 pounds as needed. The role offers a collaborative team atmosphere with significant exposure to new product development, customer projects, and industry-leading beverage innovation.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Addison, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $50.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Addison,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 6, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.