Job Description, Responsibilities & Requirements
About the Position
Flavourist II
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Contract Type: Permanent
Career Level: Experienced Professional
Department: Production
Salary: Competitive
Why Join British American Tobacco?
At British American Tobacco, we connect our teams globally, fostering a mindset beyond conventional boundaries. We share knowledge at an immense speed, promote cross-functional collaboration, and transform processes to build the best operational network in the world. Our experts can confidently explore innovative product categories, learn new skills, and accelerate the pace at which they achieve results.
Why BAT?
At BAT, we believe in more than just jobs. We strive for meaningful careers. This is one of the many reasons we have been recognized as a "Global Top Employer" for the eighth consecutive time.
We firmly believe that leadership should not be limited to job titles. It is a mindset. Through our training and development programs, you will continuously develop your skills and experience.
Join BAT, where fulfillment meets opportunity, and where your career journey begins.
Tomorrow Can't Wait
Building a smoke-free world is no easy task. It requires the collective effort of talented individuals who bring their unique perspectives. Welcome to the most innovative chapter in BAT's history – one that you can help shape!
Strategy and Purpose
- Brand and Innovation
Flavourist II
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 II in Southampton
Key Objectives and Expectations
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 II operates with a strong focus on speed, quality, and consumer preference, delivering flavours that are optimized 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.
Direct Impact 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.
Key Responsibilities
- Designs and delivers differentiated flavour solutions aligned with consumer preference, product, and brand requirements
- Develops and optimizes flavours for specific product platforms, ensuring technical performance and regulatory compliance
- Owns end-to-end flavour development from concept to scale-up, ensuring robustness, consistency, and manufacturability
- Accelerates delivery through rapid prototyping, test-and-learn approaches, and data-driven decision-making (including digital and AI tools)
- Ensures structured data capture, documentation, and knowledge reuse to support traceability and continuous improvement
- Collaborates cross-functionally and with external partners to deliver high-quality outcomes within tight timelines, balancing speed and risk
- Leads co-creation with external flavour suppliers to leverage innovation and improve differentiation
- Translates consumer insights into sensory targets while protecting and contributing to proprietary flavour IP and supporting capability building within the team
Requirements
- Demonstrated experience in flavour creation and sensory science, including translating consumer insights into flavour design across product categories (e.g., vapour, modern oral, food & beverage), with exposure to relevant regulatory requirements
- Experience working in cross-functional product development environments and collaborating with external flavour suppliers, using digital tools for formulation management, data capture, and project tracking to deliver against defined timelines
- Background in food science, flavours, perfume, or scent-related fields, with a strong foundation in flavour chemistry and science
- Well-developed sensory capability, with the ability to evaluate, optimize, and develop flavours considering product platform constraints and delivery systems
- Strong problem-solving skills, using data-driven thinking and digital tools (including modelling/AI outputs) to make decisions under time pressure
- Proven track record to work in fast-paced environments, managing competing priorities while demonstrating strong project management, organization, and time management skills
- Effective collaboration across functions and with external partners, with understanding of IP/confidentiality and a focus on continuous improvement and simplification of ways of working
- Degree-level qualification in a relevant scientific field (e.g., chemistry, food science, or related subject area)
What We Offer
- Market-leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
- A 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.
- Access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills
- We prioritize 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.
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 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 supporting you by making appropriate arrangements for you to demonstrate your full potential.
Our Values
At BAT, our values guide us towards achieving our goals. They serve as our compass, directing every aspect of our journey towards “A Better Tomorrow™.” They define how we approach innovation, grow, and succeed while setting high standards for individual success and collective progress. Our values are deeply rooted in integrity and collaboration, enabling us to act as pioneers of change in a world that never stands still. We honor BAT’s tradition while confidently moving into the future.
- Inclusive
- Doing the Right Thing
- We Love Our Consumers
- We Want to Win
- Empowered by Trust
- Together We Are Stronger
Take Control of Your Future – with BAT
At BAT, we believe in more than just jobs. We strive for meaningful careers.
We believe that everyone in our company has a place. Whether you are looking for mentoring, seeking to expand your experience through international assignments, or appreciate innovative working methods, we are here to inspire your professional ambitions and help you reach your full potential.
We believe in you. Join BAT, where fulfillment meets opportunity, and where your career journey begins.
"One of my roles is to lead initiatives for the development of new skills in our operations team. In our factory in Nairobi, we strive to close gaps and reduce losses that occur in the production process. This way, we aim to optimize operational results."
Gabriel Owuor
PMD Manager, Kenya
Benefits
At the core, we understand that your best work happens when you feel fully supported. Our carefully designed rewards and benefits package is designed to recognize your contributions and amplify your impact. When you grow, we grow too.
Social Well-being
Well-being grows when shared. We believe in benefits that foster a sense of belonging among colleagues. The more time we take for each other and share what good coexistence means to us, the closer we stand with our fellow human beings. We promote positive social interaction within and outside of BAT, enhancing collaboration and creating a supportive work environment where employees feel valued and connected.
Emotional Well-being
A balanced work-life helps refuel energy and build resilience. That’s why we have benefits and initiatives designed to support the mental health of our workforce. At BAT, we live a culture where we support our employees to better manage everyday pressures and build resilience for life’s challenging moments.
Physical Well-being
Good health is the foundation upon which everything else in our lives is based. Our benefits support the physical health of our employees, covering additional costs when needed, and promoting a healthy lifestyle with less stress for more energy and productivity.
Financial Well-being
Peace of mind is priceless, but it shouldn’t cost the world. We have benefits and initiatives that support your financial stability and security, so you can make informed financial decisions, manage financial stress, and have better short- and long-term opportunities.
"Take control of your future – with BAT."
Apply Now
Apply today. After your application, you will be supported throughout the selection process – just as you would be if you were part of our team.
Recruitment Process
Apply today. After your application, you will be supported throughout the selection process – just as you would be if you were part of our team.
Talent Community
Stay Connected
Receive exclusive notifications about newly available job openings. Enter your contact details below and stay updated on jobs that match your skills and abilities.
"Take control of your future – with BAT."
Sign Up for Advertising
I would like to receive emails from BAT's Global Talent Community to stay informed about current job opportunities, upcoming events, and company news. By clicking the "Register" button, you agree to receive updates from the Global Talent Community on behalf of BAT via email. You can unsubscribe at any time by following the link at the bottom of any update email from the Global Talent Community. By creating an account, you agree to our terms and conditions. Please read our privacy notice to learn how BAT processes your personal data and what rights you have.
"Take control of your future – with BAT."
Log into Your Account
"Take control of your future – with BAT."