Development Technologist

Premier Foods; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 7.5% pension and life assurance

Sharesave scheme

Extensive learning and development

Employee discount scheme

Job summary

Premier Foods is seeking a Development Technologist to join its R&D team in Lifton, home to Ambrosia. You will develop, renovate and commercialise foods from concept through to launch, working across R&D, Operations, Marketing, Procurement, Quality and Supply Chain.

You will lead multiple development projects, reformulate products for quality and cost, and create formulations, specifications and technical documentation to meet consumer, customer, safety and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology or related area.
• Experience in food manufacturing or FMCG preferred.
• Knowledge of ingredients, processing technologies and product development processes.
• Understanding of HACCP and food legislation.
• Experience conducting product trials and scale-ups.
• Strong communication with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proactive, flexible approach and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop new products in line with innovation and growth strategies.
• Manage multiple development projects from concept through to launch.
• Reformulate and improve existing products to enhance quality, performance, cost, nutrition or sustainability.
• Create product formulations, recipes, specifications and technical documentation.
• Conduct laboratory, kitchen, pilot plant and factory trials.
• Evaluate ingredient functionality and processing requirements.
• Support successful product launches and ensure project milestones are achieved.
• Ensure products meet quality, food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation throughout the development process.
• Contribute to the wider innovation pipeline and continuous improvement objectives.

Skills

Food science

NPD (New Product Development)

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Food Science degree

Job description

This job is with Premier Foods, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Permanent, Full Time

Join Premier Foods — where people, brands and purpose come together.

At Premier Foods, we’re proud to be one of Britain’s biggest listed food companies, home to some of the nation’s most loved brands. We’re passionate about creating great-tasting products that consumers love, and our R&D teams play a central role in bringing new ideas to life.

We’re looking for a Development Technologist to join our R&D team in Lifton, the home of Ambrosia. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who is passionate about food innovation, enjoys working cross‑functionally, and wants to help develop, improve and commercialise food products from concept through to launch.

As an R&D Technologist, you’ll be responsible for developing, renovating and commercialising food products that meet consumer, customer, quality, safety and cost requirements. You’ll support a range of innovation, renovation, cost optimisation and continuous improvement projects, helping to ensure our products deliver against both consumer expectations and commercial objectives.

You’ll work closely with teams across R&D, Operations, Marketing, Procurement, Quality and Supply Chain to bring projects to life, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget and to the right technical standards.

What you'll be doing?

In this role, you will:

• Develop new products in line with our innovation and growth strategies.
• Manage multiple development projects from concept through to launch.
• Reformulate and improve existing products to enhance quality, performance, cost, nutrition or sustainability.
• Create product formulations, recipes, specifications and technical documentation.
• Conduct laboratory, kitchen, pilot plant and factory trials.
• Evaluate ingredient functionality and processing requirements.
• Support successful product launches and ensure project milestones are achieved.
• Ensure products meet quality, food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation throughout the development process.
• Contribute to the wider innovation pipeline and continuous improvement objectives.

What we need from you?

We’re looking for someone who brings curiosity, creativity and strong technical understanding, along with the ability to work collaboratively in a fast‑paced food manufacturing environment.

You’ll ideally have:

• A degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Product Development, Nutrition or a related discipline.
• Experience within food manufacturing or an FMCG environment.
• Knowledge of food ingredients, processing technologies and product development processes.
• An understanding of food safety systems, HACCP and food legislation.
• Experience conducting product trials and commercial production scale‑ups.
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
• A proactive, flexible approach and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

What we offer you in return?

• Up to 7.5% pension and life assurance
• Sharesave scheme and the option to purchase additional holiday
• Extensive learning and development opportunities
• Access to a wide employee discount scheme

At Premier foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality.

We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in.

Our culture is one where everyone is welcome.

We're proud to be a Disability Smart employer and are committed to supporting disability inclusion throughout our recruitment process.

If you experience any access issues or require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know so we can ensure you have the support you need.