Concept to Launch Development Technologist

Cranswick Gourmet Bacon; Austhorpe; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Cranswick Gourmet Bacon is seeking an experienced Senior Development Technologist to own customer projects from concept through to launch, collaborating with customers, suppliers, internal teams and our NPD Chef to create commercially viable products.

You will manage NPD projects, develop detailed critical paths, present products to customers, and ensure alignment with retailer briefs and brand standards while keeping project costs under control.

Qualifications

• 3+ years' experience in a relevant NPD / food development environment.
• Strong project and critical path management skills.
• Experience working with customers and managing stakeholder relationships.
• A good understanding of product development, food technology and commercial requirements.
• Experience of developing products from concept through to launch.
• Strong understanding of finished product specifications and customer brand standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage NPD projects from concept through to launch.
• Develop and manage detailed critical paths and project timings.
• Act as a key point of contact for customers throughout the development process.
• Independently present products to customers, providing clear product rationale.
• Manage customer requirements in line with site capabilities and agreed timelines.
• Develop products that meet retailer briefs, customer brand standards and consumer expectations.
• Work closely with the NPD Chef, Category teams, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Manage product costing and project spend, ensuring projects remain commercially viable.
• Support benchmarking activities and analyse results.
• Maintain accurate project files, contact reports and stage & gate documentation.
• Chair stage & gate meetings and ensure actions are followed up.
• Keep up to date with food trends, cuisines, market trends and new processes.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Support the delivery of the site and retailer NPD agenda.
• Ensure products are developed with an understanding of factory processes, machinery and operational constraints.

Skills

NPD project management

Stakeholder management

Customer liaison

Presentation skills

Communication

Time management

Independent working

Education

Food-related degree or equivalent qualification

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced food development professional to take ownership of customer projects from concept through to launch, working closely with customers, suppliers, internal teams and our NPD Chef to develop commercially viable products., As a Senior Development Technologist, you will be responsible for managing NPD projects and critical paths, ensuring projects are delivered on time, to the required quality standards and within commercial expectations. You will:

• Manage NPD projects from concept through to launch.
• Develop and manage detailed critical paths and project timings.
• Act as a key point of contact for customers throughout the development process.
• Independently present products to customers, providing clear product rationale.
• Manage customer requirements in line with site capabilities and agreed timelines.
• Develop products that meet retailer briefs, customer brand standards and consumer expectations.
• Work closely with the NPD Chef, Category teams, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Manage product costing and project spend, ensuring projects remain commercially viable.
• Support benchmarking activities and analyse results.
• Maintain accurate project files, contact reports and stage & gate documentation.
• Chair stage & gate meetings and ensure actions are followed up.
• Keep up to date with food trends, cuisines, market trends and new processes.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Support the delivery of the site and retailer NPD agenda.
• Ensure products are developed with an understanding of factory processes, machinery and operational constraints.

We are looking for someone who has:

• 3+ years' experience in a relevant NPD / food development environment.
• A Food-related degree or equivalent qualification.
• Strong project and critical path management skills.
• Experience working with customers and managing stakeholder relationships.
• A good understanding of product development, food technology and commercial requirements.
• Experience of developing products from concept through to launch.
• Strong understanding of finished product specifications and customer brand standards.
• An understanding of meat technology, butchery and pig meat utilisation would be highly beneficial.
• Good commercial awareness, including costing and project spend management.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• The ability to work independently, prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
• A full UK driving licence.

Why Join Us?

You'll have the opportunity to play a key role in developing innovative products for our customers, working within a collaborative NPD team and having real ownership of projects from the initial concept through to launch. If you're commercially minded, passionate about food development and ready to take your NPD career to the next level, we'd love to hear from you.