VP of Technical Services – Beverage Innovation Leader

Are you a technical expert with a passion for driving product excellence in the beverage industry? We are seeking a Vice President of Technical Services to lead formulation strategy and technical innovation for a premier beverage company based in Tampa, FL. This is a pivotal leadership role for a seasoned expert who thrives on advancing R&D, managing cross-functional teams, and delivering high-quality, scalable beverage solutions. If you’re ready to shape the future of beverage formulations, we want to hear from you.

Lead Technical Excellence in Beverage Formulation – Tampa, FL

A leading beverage company in Tampa, FL is searching for a Vice President of Technical Services to oversee its formulation, quality, and innovation teams. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in beverage science, a track record of managing technical operations, and a collaborative leadership style. This is your opportunity to influence product pipelines, enhance formulation processes, and contribute to the growth of a forward-thinking beverage brand.

Key Responsibilities of the Vice President of Technical Services – Beverage Formulations

Formulation Leadership: Lead the formulation and development of new and existing beverage products. Ensure all formulas meet quality, taste, cost, and regulatory requirements while driving innovation aligned with consumer trends and brand objectives.

Technical Strategy & Innovation: Develop and implement technical strategies that support business goals and product pipeline growth. Collaborate with R&D, marketing, and operations teams to translate product concepts into scalable, manufacturable solutions.

Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance: Oversee the quality systems, ensuring all products comply with FDA, USDA, and other applicable regulations. Implement robust testing protocols and risk management practices to maintain the highest quality and safety standards.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with procurement, operations, marketing, and sales teams to support successful product launches and ongoing improvements. Facilitate seamless communication between departments to accelerate time-to-market and optimize product performance.

Process Optimization: Improve formulation workflows, lab operations, and scale-up processes to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and lower production costs. Apply continuous improvement methodologies to technical service functions.

Team Leadership & Development: Build and lead a high-performing technical services team including food scientists, chemists, and quality professionals. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation while mentoring staff for growth and development.

Vendor & Ingredient Management: Evaluate and manage relationships with ingredient suppliers and co-manufacturers. Ensure sourcing aligns with formulation needs, cost targets, and sustainability goals.

Project Management: Oversee technical project timelines, budgets, and deliverables. Ensure effective prioritization and execution of multiple projects across various product categories and stages of development.

Customer Support & Troubleshooting: Provide technical support to internal and external customers, including addressing formulation issues, resolving production challenges, and ensuring product consistency across batches and sites.

Documentation & Knowledge Management: Maintain accurate technical documentation, including formulations, specifications, test results, and process standards. Ensure knowledge is captured, organized, and shared across the organization.

What the Client is Looking for in You

As the Vice President of Technical Services – Beverage Formulations, the client seeks a hands-on technical leader with deep expertise in beverage development and a passion for innovation. You should be a strategic thinker with operational discipline, capable of translating technical vision into scalable products. The ideal candidate will blend scientific acumen with leadership capabilities to drive technical excellence across the organization.

Proven Expertise in Beverage Formulation and Development

The client is looking for a seasoned professional with extensive experience in beverage formulation, product development, and technical services. A strong background in ingredient functionality, sensory evaluation, and production-scale formulations is essential. You should have a history of leading successful launches and developing products that align with both consumer preferences and brand strategy.

Strategic Thinker with Strong Execution Skills

In this role, you must demonstrate the ability to build and execute technical roadmaps that support business objectives. The client values a VP who can balance long-term innovation with short-term deliverables, identify process improvement opportunities, and adapt to a fast-changing marketplace. Experience translating R&D findings into commercially viable products is critical.

Quality-Focused and Regulatory-Savvy

You should have a deep understanding of food safety, regulatory frameworks (FDA, USDA, FSMA), and quality assurance practices in beverage manufacturing. The client is seeking a leader who can build and enforce robust systems for compliance, traceability, and continuous improvement.

Leadership in Cross-Functional Environments

This role requires collaboration across marketing, operations, supply chain, and external partners. The client is looking for a VP who excels at leading cross-functional teams, fostering communication, and aligning technical goals with company-wide objectives. Experience mentoring technical talent and cultivating a high-performance team culture is highly desirable.

Financial and Operational Acumen

A strong understanding of cost optimization, yield management, and budget planning is important. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with managing technical services budgets and contributing to financial planning processes. Your ability to make data-driven decisions that balance cost, quality, and innovation will be key to success.

Consumer-Centric Product Mindset

You must be passionate about understanding evolving consumer trends and translating insights into compelling beverage products. The client values individuals who can apply technical knowledge to meet taste, health, sustainability, and brand positioning goals.

Trusted Partner and Communicator

The client seeks a confident communicator who can effectively present complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, executive leadership, and external partners. You should be able to articulate risks, recommend solutions, and build trust across all levels of the organization.

Commitment to Innovation, Efficiency, and Growth

Ultimately, the client is looking for a VP who is both innovative and pragmatic—someone who can inspire teams, streamline operations, and bring bold ideas to life through disciplined execution. A commitment to continuous learning, sustainability, and operational excellence is essential to thrive in this leadership role.

FAQs About the Role – Vice President of Technical Services – Beverage Formulations

1. What are the key responsibilities of the VP of Technical Services in this role?

As the Vice President of Technical Services, you will be responsible for leading the formulation and development of innovative beverage products, ensuring the highest standards of quality and compliance. You will drive technical strategy across R&D, collaborate with cross-functional teams, optimize manufacturing processes, and oversee regulatory adherence. Additionally, you will lead a high-performing technical team, manage vendor relationships, and drive continuous improvements in product development.

2. What qualifications and experience are required for this position?

The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in beverage formulation, product development, or a related technical field, with a proven track record of success in the food and beverage industry. A background in food science, chemistry, or engineering, coupled with leadership experience in a technical role, is essential. Strong knowledge of quality systems, regulatory standards (FDA, USDA), and manufacturing processes is highly valued. A relevant advanced degree is preferred but not mandatory.

3. What leadership qualities are essential for this role?

The client is looking for a strategic, results-oriented leader with exceptional problem-solving skills. You should be able to inspire and manage cross-functional teams, drive innovation, and make data-driven decisions. Strong communication skills are critical to effectively collaborate with internal stakeholders, external vendors, and customers. You should also demonstrate a commitment to operational excellence, quality assurance, and fostering a collaborative team environment.

4. What challenges can I expect in this role?

In this role, you will face challenges such as keeping up with changing consumer preferences, managing the complexities of beverage formulation, maintaining product consistency across large-scale production, and ensuring compliance with ever-evolving regulations. Additionally, optimizing cost-effective production processes while maintaining high product quality and sustainability will be key challenges.

5. What is the expected impact of the VP of Technical Services on the company’s growth?

The VP of Technical Services will have a direct impact on the company’s product innovation and development pipeline, driving growth by bringing new, consumer-driven beverage products to market. Your ability to optimize the technical service functions and improve production efficiency will contribute to enhanced profitability, market competitiveness, and long-term success.

6. What is the company’s culture and work environment like?

The company fosters a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative culture where technical excellence and creativity are valued. You will be part of a forward-thinking team focused on delivering high-quality products while pushing the boundaries of beverage innovation. The work environment encourages continuous learning, teamwork, and a passion for delivering exceptional products that resonate with consumers.

What Remuneration Can You Expect from This Job?

As the Vice President of Technical Services – Beverage Formulations, you can expect a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation package designed to reward top talent in the industry. The remuneration for this role typically includes the following components:

1. Base Salary

The base salary for the VP of Technical Services in the beverage formulations industry is competitive and reflects your experience, technical expertise, and leadership capabilities. For a mid-to-large-sized beverage company, the annual base salary can range from $180,000 to $250,000. Larger or more established organizations may offer higher base salaries depending on the company’s size and revenue.

2. Performance-Based Bonuses

In addition to a base salary, most VP compensation packages include annual performance-based bonuses. These bonuses are tied to key company metrics such as product innovation success, cost management, production efficiency, and overall company growth. These performance bonuses can range from 20% to 50% of the base salary, depending on both individual and company performance.

3. Equity & Stock Options

Many beverage companies provide equity-based incentives, including stock options or performance shares. These incentives align executive compensation with company performance and shareholder value. Depending on the company, equity grants can be a substantial component of the overall compensation package, providing long-term financial benefits tied to the company’s growth and profitability.

4. Profit-Sharing & Long-Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs)

Some companies may offer profit-sharing programs or long-term incentive plans (LTIPs) to further reward executives for sustainable performance and long-term company success. These incentives encourage focus on strategic growth and profitability over several years, offering financial rewards based on the company’s success.

5. Executive Benefits & Perks

VPs of Technical Services are typically provided with a comprehensive benefits package, which may include:

Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) or pension plans with company contributions
Executive retirement plans
Company-provided vehicle or travel allowances
Wellness programs and memberships
Business development and networking expense accounts

6. Signing Bonuses & Relocation Assistance

For highly sought-after candidates, companies may offer signing bonuses or relocation assistance. These incentives are offered to attract exceptional talent and can range from $25,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the role and the candidate’s experience.

Total Compensation Potential

When factoring in base salary, bonuses, equity, and long-term incentives, the total annual compensation for a VP of Technical Services – Beverage Formulations can range from $250,000 to over $400,000, depending on the company’s size, market position, and individual performance. High-growth companies or those in the process of major expansions may offer even more lucrative packages.

How to Apply

If you are a visionary leader with deep technical expertise in beverage formulations and a passion for innovation, we invite you to apply for the Vice President of Technical Services – Beverage Formulations role in Tampa, FL. This is a unique opportunity to lead a cutting-edge technical team, drive product innovation, and contribute to the strategic growth of a leading beverage company.

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter that highlights your experience in beverage formulation, technical leadership, product development, and regulatory compliance. In your cover letter, detail your proven success in managing R&D projects, optimizing technical operations, and driving cross-functional collaboration. Be sure to emphasize your ability to lead high-performing teams and deliver innovative products that meet consumer demand.

This role offers an exciting career opportunity to shape the future of the beverage industry while playing a key role in driving operational excellence and market success. Apply today to take the next step in your career as the VP of Technical Services – Beverage Formulations in Tampa, FL!

For more information or to explore similar opportunities, visit our Beverage Industry Executive Recruiters Page.

Job Category: Beverage Formulations

Job Type: Full Time

Job Location: Tampa

VP of Technical Services – Tampa, FL | Beverage Formulations