Assistant Product Developer

Cranswick PLC; Hessle; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Cranswick Gourmet Kitchen in Hessle is seeking a motivated Assistant Product Developer to join the team on a full-time basis. The role requires practical and technical capability, with around 6 months experience in a similar field, plus strong project management skills and understanding of retailer and customer requirements.

Salary to be discussed at interview stage. You will work with cross-functional teams to deliver new products from concept through to specification, ensuring quality and

Qualifications

• 6 months+ experience in a similar field
• Strong project management skills and ability to work to tight deadlines
• Understanding of retailer requirements

Responsibilities

• Support costing process with finance and commercial teams
• Generate detailed trial reports and records
• Work with NPD Chef to create new recipes meeting specifications
• Ensure compliance with brand standards and packaging developments
• Maintain submission documentation and communicate results to stakeholders
• Coordinate with retailers on developments and market changes

Skills

Project management

Retailer requirements

Food product development

Communication skills

Education

GCSE English Language & Maths

Full valid driving license

Job description

Cranswick Gourmet Kitchen is supplying high quality cooked product to a number of market leading customers. The goal of our food manufacturing site, Cranswick Gourmet Kitchen, is to produce quality cooked food for market leading customers. As a team, we aim to create a culture where everything we do is to the highest possible standard and we are looking for like-minded individuals to be a part of this.

We are looking for a motivated Assistant Product Developer to join our team on a full time basis. The successful candidate will have strong practical and technical experience ideally with 6 months experience in a similar field, strong project management skills and understanding of retailer and customer requirements.

Salary to be discussed at interview stage.

The main duties of the role include:

• Work with the finance and commercial team to adhere to costing process, Interpret NPD costings and challenge as required in a timely manner.
  
• Generation of detailed trial reports and records.
  
• Work within tight time scales as set by the critical path created.
  
• Work with the NPD Chef to create new and exciting recipes ensuring that products are delivered to the correct specification satisfying consumer, customer, business, commercial, operational, nutritional and process development requirements.
  
• Fully understand customer codes of practice and brand standards
  
• Keep well informed of packaging developments, liaise with suppliers and consider as part of new product development
  
• Consider opportunities to take cost out of both existing product and new concepts through a commercially minded development approach.
  
• Challenge processes and practices within the department and suggest improvements where necessary
  
• Maintain regular contact with retailer developments and keep up to date with customer and market changes.
  
• Conduct benchmarking panels and communicate results internally and externally
• Ensure that the relevant product development process is followed and that each stage is completed accurately, documented and communicated through to key stake holders
• Create, complete and update all sample submission documentation ensuring all submissions are executed to company and custom

Requirements/ experience:

Qualification

• English Language and Maths GSCE A* - C / 9 - 4
• Full valid driving license

Knowledge

• A strong practical and technical knowledge ideally provided from experience (6 months +) within a similar field
• Strong project management skills and ability to work to tight deadlines, deliver on time.
• Understanding of retailer requirements

Personal Skills

• Demonstrates a passion and understanding of food with respect for quality
• Displays a factory minded approach
• Communicates effectively with departments
• Able to resolve matters quickly and complete tasks
• Able to adapt to change
• Able to enjoy working within a fast-moving environment with change and high expectations
• Able to adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to work both as an individual and as a team player

Salary to be discussed at interview stage.

Closing Date: 30th October 2026

Internal applicants must make their line manager aware before applying