Process Development Specialist - Distilling/Maturation

at  MeyDiageo

Job Description :
Process Development Specialist – Distilling/Maturation
Location – Scotland – Menstrie
Permanent
Join our Supply Team
As the home of iconic brands such as Baileys, Guinness, Smirnoff, and Johnnie Walker, at Diageo we source, produce and deliver 6.5 billion litres of world-leading products every year across 180 markets globally. Because of this huge undertaking, we rely on highly advanced systems as well as the very best talent to make sure our businesses continue to run smoothly. To give you some idea of the scale of our operation, over half of our 30,000 employees work in our supply chains. We have teams in over 100 sites across more than 30 countries, but what matters is that wherever you work, you’re part of a diverse, inclusive team where there are opportunities for everyone.
Whether you work in planning, logistics, technical teams or manufacturing, you’ll be part of an innovative, dynamic organisation. We set ourselves the highest standards, and our practices have earned us international recognition. And it’s people with energy, dedication and problem-solving skills who’ll help us get even better. In return, we offer a world of opportunities for you to explore, to shape and progress your career.
Purpose of the Role
The incumbent will be a distilled spirits specialist, focused on developing breakthrough science in maturation engineering, logistics, and maturation chemistry. The role will report into the Process Capacity, Agilities and Futures Manager (PCAF) Manager within Science & Technology (S&T).

The scope of activity will include (but is not limited to) the following areas:

• Lab-, pilot- and scale-up of flavour experimentation, modelling and associated analysis.
• Coordination and facilitation of sensory and blending activities for proof-of-concept validation.
• Assessment and data gathering for maturation efficiency and yield, e.g. losses, trialling.
• Provision and interpretation of chemical and sensory analysis for quality and risk assurance.
• Procurement and supplier engagement for barrel sourcing and development.
• Product and process Innovation, including identification of end-to-end business impact e.g. warehouse management, empty barrel management and engineering changes.
• Technical support for short to medium term product innovation where required.
• Producing a pipeline of new and innovative opportunities in category flavour.
• Scale up of R&D initiatives, planning and execution of production scale pilots, linking with internal and external partners to develop key themes from laboratory to pilot to full production.

Role requirements – skills and experience

• Degree or equivalent experience in a Scientific subject area (ideally allied to the drinks industry) or equivalent relevant qualifications and experience.
• Demonstrable record of scaling up complex scientific initiatives, preferably in production environments.
• Proven track record of strategic project and program management and delivery, including risk management and financial awareness.
• >5 years’ experience in a relevant industry in a technical or research role, ideally including practical experience of matured spirits production of Scotch, Rum, Whiskey, Tequila, or other matured spirit field.
• Broad understanding of spirits analysis, both chemical and sensorial.
• Technical professional who has developed within their area of expertise and has evidence of delivering well-rounded business value.
• Cross functional experience beneficial with strong supplier and procurement knowledge.
• Effective customer management.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with and influence partners throughout the organization.
• Self-motivated teammate with the ability to lead and drive on own initiative.

Key Accountabilities

• Process change validation at pilot and trial scale to minimise risk to production footprint.
• Project Management and ownership of initiative pipeline(s) from concept to operations scale.
• Partner management; cross-category comms planning and critical metric provision within Tequila business structure.
• Cross-functional working to deliver process changes required for product Innovation, close adherence to regulatory, quality, and health and safety frameworks.
• Close working with PCAF Manager, PCAF team, Special Projects – Distillation Manager, and Research Partnerships Manager (all S&T) to develop, embed, and activate strategic plan (>10 years) for production R&D.
• Alignment of the strategy and pipeline with, and gain agreement from key internal and external collaborators to ensure effective execution and adherence to Diageo risk management standards, delivering business value (Example: Net Sales Value equivalents through COGS reduction and other margin enhancement avenues).
• Optimisation of spirit production and maturation processes, covering flavour science, global quality and compliance standards, and loss reduction in adherence with Diageo health and safety policies.

Excellence in Supply Chain
Develop and Upholds Standards – The role holder will be expected to embrace the standards, champion, and apply them effectively in their role and always adhere to them.
Performance Management – The role holder will understand the importance of critical metrics in driving performance and in embedding the sustainability ambition.
Continuous Improvement – the role holder will be expected to be flexible and embrace change, continually looking for ways to improve everything they do. They will use various continuous improvement tools and techniques to solve problems and scan for opportunities.
Working with Us
Flexibility is key to success in our business and many of our staff work flexibly in many different ways, including part-time, compressed hours, flexible location. Please talk to us about what flexibility means to you and don’t let anything stop you from applying.

Join us and you can also expect a highly competitive and flexible rewards and benefits package including:

• Contemporary work life balance policies and wellbeing activities
• Contributary pension scheme
• Annual bonus
• Share options
• Comprehensive health insurance

Our purpose is to celebrate life, every day, everywhere. And creating an inclusive culture, where everyone feels valued and listened to, is a crucial part of this. We believe the most inclusive and diverse culture makes for a better business and a better world. We know that for our business to thrive and for Diageo to realize its ambition, we depend on having diverse talent with a range of backgrounds, skills and capabilities in each of the 180 countries in which we operate and to reflect our broad consumer base.
Join us, and you’ll be part of an organisation that embraces diversity in the broadest possible sense. This means that you’ll be welcomed and celebrated for who you are just by being you. You’ll be part of — and help build — an inclusive culture that celebrates people of different gender, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation, social class, educational backgrounds, experiences, approaches, and more. And you’ll help us champion inclusion and diversity across our entire business: with our employees, our suppliers, across our brands, and within the communities in which we operate.
About Us
With over 200 brands sold in more than 180 countries, we’re the world’s leading premium drinks company. Join us, and you’ll collaborate with dedicated people from all corners of the world. You’ll innovate and push boundaries, shaping a sustainable and more inclusive future that we can all be proud of.
With diversity at our core, we celebrate our people’s individual passions, commitments and specialist skills. In our supportive culture, your voice will be heard, and you’ll be empowered to be you. Just bring your ambition, curiosity and ideas, and we’ll celebrate your work and help you reach your fullest potential.
Our ambition is to create the best performing, most trusted and respected Consumer Products Company in the world. To achieve these, we need the world’s very best people. Join us and help to take Diageo and our timeless, pioneering brands to the next level.
Feel inspired? Then this may be the opportunity for you.
Worker Type :
Regular
Primary Location:
International Supply Technical Centre – Menstrie
Additional Locations :
Job Posting Start Date :
2024-03-1

• Degree or equivalent experience in a Scientific subject area (ideally allied to the drinks industry) or equivalent relevant qualifications and experience.
• Demonstrable record of scaling up complex scientific initiatives, preferably in production environments.
• Proven track record of strategic project and program management and delivery, including risk management and financial awareness.
• >5 years’ experience in a relevant industry in a technical or research role, ideally including practical experience of matured spirits production of Scotch, Rum, Whiskey, Tequila, or other matured spirit field.
• Broad understanding of spirits analysis, both chemical and sensorial.
• Technical professional who has developed within their area of expertise and has evidence of delivering well-rounded business value.
• Cross functional experience beneficial with strong supplier and procurement knowledge.
• Effective customer management.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with and influence partners throughout the organization.
• Self-motivated teammate with the ability to lead and drive on own initiative