Digital Flavour Manager
NewBAT 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 Digital Flavour Manager in Southampton
What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?
This role leads the digital transformation of flavour development, connecting flavour science, data, AI-enabled ways of working and digital systems to improve speed, agility and quality across the Flavour Centre of Excellence.
The Digital Flavour Manager acts as the key link between flavour development, R&D digital transformation, data science, digital product teams and external technology partners, translating business needs into practical digital tools and scalable ways of working.
The role is expected to shape and embed next-generation flavour systems, including structured flavour data, workflow automation, coding-enabled solutions, predictive tools and responsible AI use cases that support faster flavour scoping, creation, evaluation and knowledge reuse.
What is the direct impact of this role on the team or organization?
Contributes directly to BAT’s product success by enabling flavour development to:
- Accelerate flavour scoping and response to category demand
- Improve consistency, quality and reuse of flavour knowledge and data
- Build a future-ready, digitally enabled flavour capability
Supports the evolution of flavour development as a more agile, insight-led and digitally enabled field, strengthening the team’s ability to deliver future innovation with speed, clarity and measurable business impact.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Leads the flavour digital transformation agenda, defining and delivering a roadmap for digital tools, data standards, automation and AI-enabled capabilities across flavour development.
- Shapes and embeds digital flavour systems, workflows and ways of working that improve speed, quality, traceability, knowledge reuse and data integrity.
- Acts as the flavour business lead and key super user for flavour systems, ensuring requirements, adoption, governance and effective utilisation across the flavour community.
- Identifies and delivers opportunities to reduce manual effort through coding, workflow automation, dashboards, structured data capture and simplified digital processes.
- Develops and applies AI-enabled approaches to support flavour ideation, trend identification, ingredient selection, formulation optimisation, sensory prediction and decision-making.
- Partners with flavourists, product teams, internal experts and external partners to enhance flavour scoping, technical feasibility assessments and the evaluation of emerging digital and flavour technologies.
- Builds connected flavour data, reporting and insight capabilities that enable portfolio visibility, supplier capability mapping, performance tracking and evidence-based decision-making.
- Drives the adoption of digital solutions through training, mentor and change management, while ensuring compliance with quality, regulatory, confidentiality, intellectual property, security and privacy requirements.
What are we looking for?
- Proven experience leading digital transformation, systems implementation and data-enabled change within R&D, product development, flavour, sensory or related technical environments, with the ability to translate business and technical needs into practical digital, analytics, automation and AI-driven solutions.
- Strong track record of managing cross-functional projects and collaborator networks across technical, digital, IT, data, commercial and external partner organisations, driving adoption through effective governance, training and change management.
- Experience working with formulation, laboratory, product development or knowledge management systems, combined with an understanding of AI, data visualisation, workflow automation and the quality, regulatory, confidentiality and intellectual property requirements associated with technical product development.
- Strong digital approach with the ability to connect flavour science, data, systems thinking and business outcomes, supported by sound problem-solving and data-driven decision-making skills.
- Ability to lead transformation and drive adoption across technical communities through effective customer management, communication and influence.
- Solid understanding of data structures, dashboards, workflow automation, coding concepts and AI-enabled tools, with the ability to translate user requirements into practical digital solutions in partnership with IT and data teams.
- Strong organisational and delivery focus, able to balance long-term planning with hands-on execution. Builds capability through training, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing. Understanding flavour development and related technologies is advantageous.
- Degree-level qualification in a relevant scientific, technical or digital field (e.g., Food Science, Chemistry, Flavour Science, Data Science, Computer Science or Engineering), complemented by experience or training in digital transformation, data analytics, AI, coding, product development systems and/or change management.
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
- Benefits:
- Meal Voucher/ Canteen as per location
- Private Pension
- Life & Health Insurance
- Yearly bonus based on the ABS
- Family support policy
- Office perks
- Flexible policy as per agreed Second Level agreement.
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.
Collaboration, inclusion and partnership underpin everything we do here at BAT. We are looking forward to enabling every individual to thrive, regardless of 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, veteran status, perspectives and thinking styles. We know that embracing talent from all backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals.
We see the career breaks as opportunities not obstacles. Through The Global Returners program, we support professionals looking to restart their careers after an extended absence from the workforce (e.g. time out caring for family, parental leave, national service, sabbatical and/or starting an 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.
If you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, you are encouraged to notify us. We are fully committed to support you by making appropriate arrangements for you to demonstrate your full potential.
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