Development Technologist

Muller Dairy; West Midlands Combined Authority; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Müller Dairy is looking for a Development Technologist for a 12-month fixed term to join their R&D Team in Telford. You'll spearhead product development from conception to launch while ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Ideal candidates will have a relevant degree and experience in the dairy sector, along with strong problem-solving and communication skills. Attractive benefits included.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Bonus scheme

Health Care Package

Contributory pension plan

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave

Flexible benefits programme

Rewards Benefits Programme

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science or similar essential.
• Experience in dairy product development desirable.
• Demonstrated analytical and numerical skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage product development projects from concept to launch.
• Develop and adapt recipes with consideration for quality and safety.
• Conduct product testing and produce trial reports.

Skills

Problem-solving skills

Analytical skills

Creative product development

Time Management

Effective communication

Education

BSc / MSc in Food Science or corresponding degree level

Tools

MS Office, particularly Excel

Job description

Company description:

Müller UK & Ireland is wholly owned by the Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller which employs over 24,000 people throughout Europe. In the UK, Müller develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of branded and private label dairy products made with milk from more than 1,700 British farmers. The Müller brand is ranked at No.7 in The Grocer’s Top 100 list of Britain’s Biggest Brands, and is also the 7th most chosen brand in the UK.

Job description:

We’re recruiting … Development Technologist

Müller has been a loved brand in the UK for over 30 years. It’s a household name – and it continues to grow as we invest to make and market an ever-great range of fantastic dairy products. We are currently the 8th most chosen FMCG brand, picked from supermarket shelves over 208 million times each year.

We are currently recruiting for a Development Technologist for a 12-month fixed term; it’s an opportunity to join an exciting UK R&D Team based in Telford. You will manage product development-based projects from concept to launch and be responsible for R&D actions through project stage gate process (PEP).

Your challenge for the Development Technologist
•Develop new or adapts existing recipes, taking into consideration quality and food safety, food law, food science, sensory requirements, nutrition targets, ingredient functionality and current recipes and Production processes.
•Prepare and present innovative concept samples to internal and external partners. Put forward ideas for new products.
•Regularly work in the kitchen or the pilot plant area.
•Calculate the nutrition table for new recipes, review figures against nutritional targets and adapts recipes where appropriate.
•Regularly keep up to date with new products and competition in the UK market. Maintain awareness of key food trends.
•Understand how this role and role of R&D contributes to business success. Understand business and customer requirements and work to deliver projects to meet these requirements.
•Operate pilot plant independently.
•Plan, organise and control scale up trials, through effective communication with planning and production personnel.
•Organise and carry out appropriate product testing, e.g., shelf-life testing, organoleptic assessment, nutrition; carry out shelf-life studies.
•Produce clear and complete trial reports. Complete due diligence documentation. Maintain any NPD documentation / records.
•Complete handover of all relevant documentation and formulations to production personnel and assist with first productions. Assist with training of relevant production personnel on any new processes or parameters involved in a new product launch.
•Source new ingredients that are fit for purpose; follow the Muller new raw material process to gain approval of ingredients and set up on IT systems.
•Build relationships with supply base of product category.
•Write a clear and concise brief to suppliers, taking into consideration the cost in use target.
•Understands HACCP principles.
•Ensure all development work is undertaken safely and considers requirements of all relevant legislation, Muller Codes of Practice, retailer policies (if applicable) and brand guidelines.
•Contribute to food safety risk assessments through the NPD process.
•Able to put together an ingredient declaration and nutritional table (e.g., composite products/nutritional claims)
•Knowledge of the food legislation relevant to their role. Able to check artwork of finished products if required for their role, taking into consideration all the relevant legislation and policies.
•Deliver projects on time to plan. Understand all stages of the Muller stage gate process - PEP (Product Evolution Process), R&D's role within it and the timescales associated.
•Contribute to project timeline creation.
•Complete recipe costings with finance team when required throughout the project.
•Attend project meetings. Escalate risks and issues to project manager. Contribute to problem solving activities where issues or risks arise.
•Update key stakeholders with progress on key milestones and any deviations.
•Contribute to project feasibility studies.
•Travel to other Muller manufacturing sites or third-party co-packers across UK, where required.

Key skills & experience for the Development Technologist
•BSc / MSc in food Science / Science / Dairy Technology or corresponding degree level
•Knowledge of dairy science and processing / basic nutrition knowledge.
•Experience in developing dairy products is desirable.
•Computer literate, including MS Office associated packages (particularly Excel).
•Can demonstrate good problem-solving skills; knowledge of problem-solving techniques or tools is desirable.
•Analytical / numerical skills (ability to understand equations / complex mathematical items).
•Demonstrates experience in creative product development.
•Passion for Food
•High level of self-motivation, shows initiative, inquisitive and creative.
•Assertive / challenging.
•Effective team player
•Effective Time Management Skills (effective prioritisation and management of multiple projects)
•Acts with a sense of urgency and determination, strives for operational excellence.
•Operates with discipline and with appropriate attention to detail, is highly reliable.
•Communicates effectively at all levels both internally and externally.

Müller pride ourselves on offering support to help develop your knowledge and skills. In return for your commitment, drive and enthusiasm, we offer our employees numerous benefits as part of your employment, including:
• Competitive Salary
• Bonus scheme
• Health Care Package
• Contributory pension plan
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Generous annual leave increasing with service.
• Flexible benefits programme
• In addition, our employees have access to a Rewards Benefits Programme, giving you a range of discounts across 800 retailers online and in store.

The Process

If you have the skills and experience in the above areas and would like to be considered for this role, please apply at www.mullercareers.co.uk

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