Beverage Innovation Specialist

About Lensa and Nestlé Professional Solutions

Lensa is a career site that connects job seekers with opportunities in the US. We promote jobs on behalf of our direct clients and partners, including Nestlé. Please note that Lensa does not directly hire for this position; clicking "Apply Now" will redirect you to the employer's job board. Nestlé Professional Solutions (NPS) leverages Nestlé's position as the world's largest food and beverage company to extend beloved brands like Stouffer's, Coffee mate, Nescafé, and Starbucks into workplaces, restaurants, hotels, and universities. NPS provides unparalleled support to foodservice operators, offering fine ingredients and operational knowledge to contribute to a healthier future. Our team of culinary experts and skilled product developers collaborate closely with foodservice professionals to generate creative, branded food and beverage solutions. We are at the forefront of industry trends and innovations, with employees dedicated to deepening their expertise within the food-service sector.

About Nestlé Professional Solutions

Nestlé Professional Solutions (NPS) brings the power of Nestlé's food & beverage brands to workplaces, restaurants, hotels, and education, helping operators succeed with solutions consumers love. Our beverage portfolio includes category-leading brands such as NESCAFÉ, Seattle's Best Coffee, Coffee mate, Starbucks (licensed), and Nestlé Vitality, supported by a cross-functional team that partners closely with sales to deliver operationally grounded, trend-forward solutions.

The Opportunity: Beverage Innovation Specialist

As a Beverage Innovation Specialist, you will serve as the ambassador for beverage excellence within Nestlé Professional Solutions. This role involves partnering with the Sales organization across all U.S. regions to showcase the extensive value and versatility of our beverage portfolio. Key responsibilities include leading customer tastings, conducting large-scale industry demonstrations, developing specialty beverages and Limited Time Offers (LTOs), and providing comprehensive beverage training and drink standards. This position demands exceptional presentation and communication skills to engage diverse audiences and the ability to demonstrate thought leadership in beverage and flavor pairings, inspiring innovation and setting new trends.

Key Responsibilities

• Sales Enablement: Support national and regional account teams with beverage-led customer engagements, demos, and ideation sessions to drive sales.
• Beverage Development: Create specialty coffee and non-coffee beverages, seasonal rotations, and LTOs that align with brand guidelines and operational realities.
• Training: Deliver expert barista skills training and provide beverage station setup guidance; develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and e-learning content.
• Portfolio Demonstration: Curate engaging tastings showcasing NPS beverage solutions; manage all demo logistics for trade shows and customer events.
• Customer Co-Creation: Lead collaborative menu development and flavor pairing sessions, translating successful outcomes into actionable sell-in materials for sales teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Sales, Brand Marketing, and Commercial Development teams to effectively position products and prioritize application strategies.
• Pipeline & Sales Accountability: Maintain and actively manage a robust pipeline of focused beverage opportunities where your expertise will directly contribute to sales conversion through proactive engagement, consultative selling, and diligent follow-up.

Required Qualifications

• Extensive beverage expertise, including deep coffee knowledge and proven barista skills.
• Demonstrated experience developing specialty beverages for foodservice or retail café brands.
• Outstanding presentation and communication skills, with a proven ability to captivate and influence diverse audiences.
• Proven thought leadership in beverage and flavor pairings, encompassing trend analysis and creative application.
• Ability to travel extensively nationwide (40-60%); possession of a valid driver's license; capability to handle demo equipment.
• Minimum of 5 years of multi-unit, headquarters-level experience with a national or multi-market brand.

Preferred Qualifications

• SCA certifications or equivalent barista trainer credentials.
• Familiarity with beverage station design, basic equipment knowledge, and category P&L levers.

Compensation and Benefits

The approximate annual pay range for the Beverage Innovation Specialist position at Nestlé is $120,000 to $140,000. Final compensation may vary based on factors such as knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. Nestlé offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package, including a 401k with company match, comprehensive healthcare coverage, and a broad range of other benefits. More information about benefits can be found on Nestlé Careers.

Additional Information

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. Nestlé is committed to being an inclusive workplace and an equal employment opportunity employer. All applicants receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Special accommodations for the recruitment process can be requested via accommodations@nestle.com or by calling 1-800-321-6467 (dial 711 for operator).

Key skills/competency

• Beverage Innovation
• Coffee Expertise
• Barista Skills
• Sales Enablement
• Product Development
• Menu Co-Creation
• Trend Analysis
• Customer Engagement
• Flavor Pairings
• Training & Development