What are the responsibilities and job description for the Beverage Product Development Associate position at Happy Global Inc.?
About PulseOn
PulseOn is a fast-growing functional beverage startup developing next-generation energy and wellness drinks for North America. We combine science-backed ingredients, great taste, and clean formulations to build products consumers love.
We're looking for an enthusiastic Product Development Associate who enjoys hands-on product creation and wants to grow with an early-stage beverage company.
Responsibilities
- Support the development of new functional beverage products from concept through commercialization.
- Assist in bench-top formulation, ingredient weighing, sample preparation, and prototype development.
- Conduct sensory evaluations and document flavor, sweetness, mouthfeel, carbonation, and overall product performance.
- Coordinate ingredient requests, sample tracking, and formulation records.
- Work with suppliers to obtain technical documents, COAs, specifications, and product samples.
- Support stability studies, shelf-life testing, and product performance evaluations.
- Prepare laboratory batches and maintain accurate formulation documentation.
- Assist with pilot trials and commercial production at co-manufacturing facilities.
- Collect production observations and communicate process improvements with senior R&D staff.
- Coordinate cross-functional activities with Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and Operations teams.
- Maintain organized laboratory inventory, equipment, and development samples.
- Research beverage trends, functional ingredients, flavors, and consumer insights to support innovation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Nutrition, Chemistry, or related field.
- 0–3 years of product development experience in beverages, food, supplements, or consumer packaged goods.
- Experience with beverage formulation is preferred.
- Strong interest in functional ingredients, flavor systems, and product innovation.
- Comfortable working in both laboratory and manufacturing environments.
- Excellent organization skills with attention to detail.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced startup environment.
- Willingness to travel occasionally to manufacturing facilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with carbonated beverages, energy drinks, sports drinks, or RTD products.
- Knowledge of ingredient functionality including sweeteners, acids, flavors, caffeine, amino acids, vitamins, botanicals, and hydrocolloids.
- Basic understanding of GMP, HACCP, food safety, and quality systems.
- Experience with bench-top formulation and pilot production.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and formulation documentation.
What You'll Learn
- Functional beverage formulation
- Flavor optimization
- Pilot and commercial manufacturing
- Co-manufacturer management
- Ingredient sourcing
- Regulatory compliance
- Quality systems
- Product commercialization
This role offers a unique opportunity to work directly with senior beverage industry leaders and contribute to launching new products into the North American market.
Success in the First Year
Within the first 12 months, you will be expected to:
- Support the development of multiple commercial beverage SKUs.
- Independently prepare accurate bench-top prototypes.
- Manage ingredient and sample tracking efficiently.
- Participate in pilot and production trials.
- Maintain complete formulation documentation.
- Become a reliable technical partner across R&D, Quality, and Operations.
Equal Employment Opportunity
PulseOn is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.