Innovation Technician

C&D Foods & Affiliates; Castilla y León; Presencial; EUR 30.000 - 45.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

A leading pet food manufacturer located in Castilla y León is seeking a dedicated individual to support the development and testing of new pet-food products. The role involves coordinating trials, preparing samples, and working closely with various teams to ensure successful project launches. Ideal candidates should have experience in food manufacturing or food science, possess a keen attention to detail, and thrive in a collaborative environment focused on innovation and quality.

Formación

• Experience in food manufacturing, food science, or related technical field.
• Knowledge of processing methods like extrusion and canning.
• Strong attention to details and ability for hands-on work.

Responsabilidades

• Assist in developing and testing new pet-food formulations.
• Prepare bench samples and maintain accurate data.
• Support production trials, ensuring requirements are met.

Conocimientos

Food manufacturing experience

Knowledge of pet-food ingredients

Problem-solving mindset

Attention to detail

Descripción del empleo

C&D Foods and its affiliates are one of the largest pet food manufacturers in Europe, offering specially formulated cat and dog food for the private label market. Founded in 1969, C&D Foods and its affiliates have grown to become an industry leading pet food producers with eight manufacturing sites across Europe supplying quality products to customers around the world. We provide a one-stop shop for all our customers' wet and dry pet food needs, from large-scale, low-cost highly automated facilities to multi-purpose, smaller volume flexible sites. Through our dedicated Nutrition & Research Centre and focus on continuous improvement, we've developed a reputation for innovation, collaboration, quality and market expertise.

This role supports the development, testing, and launch of new pet-food products on behalf of brand-owning customers. It exists to translate concepts into products by coordinating bench-top trials, pilot runs, and production validations.

Key Responsabilities

• Assit in developing and testing new pet-food formulations
• Prepare bench samples, record ingredient usage, and maintain accurate technical data
• Support pilot-scale and full-scale production trials, ensuring all trials requirements are met
• Collect, organize, and interpret trial results, including texture, palatability and quality attributes
• Collaborate with production teams to ensure new formulations run effectively

Key Performance Measures

• Accuracy and completeness of trial documentation and date reporting
• On-time completion of sample requests, trials, and project milestones
• Success rate of customer project launches transitioning from trial to first production
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners
• Compliance with food safety, quality and safety standards

Key Relationships

• Internal:
  • Innovation Manager / R&D team
  • Production managers and line operators
  • Quality and Food Safety
  • Procurement / Supply
  • Engineering / Maintenance
  • Commercial / Customer account teams
• External:
  • Brand-owner customers during trials or technical reviews
  • Ingredient suppliers providing new materials or technologies
  • External laboratories (if sending samples for analysis)

Personal Competencies and Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing, food science, or related technical field
• Knowledge of pet-food ingredients, processing methods, extrusion, canning technologies etc.
• Ability to perform hands-on work in production with strong attention to details
• Problem-solving mindset with willingness to question assumptions and test alternatives
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-moving manufacturing environment