Development Technologist / NPD Technologist

Manucomm Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Manucomm Recruitment is seeking a Development / NPD Technologist in Somerset to lead concept development and recipe creation for new and existing products. You will work closely with customers and internal teams to translate briefs into viable products.

The role involves hands-on kitchen and factory trials, ensuring formulations meet nutrition, safety and timing targets, and supporting product launches and improvements.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science or related field.
• Around three years’ experience in food manufacturing, ideally in NPD/product development.
• Experience in recipe development and taking products from concept to launch.
• Good knowledge of ingredients, formulations and their functionality.

Responsibilities

• Lead concept development and recipe creation for new and existing products.
• Work with customers to understand briefs and deliver tailored product samples.
• Develop recipes and conduct hands-on kitchen and factory trials.
• Coordinate with NPD, Technical, Quality, Operations and Supply Chain teams.

Skills

Food science

NPD

Recipe development

Project management

Communication

Education

Food Science degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

Development Technologist / NPD Technologist

Salary: £up to £36,000

Somerset

Love food innovation? Enjoy turning creative ideas into products people want to buy?

We're looking for a talented Development / NPD Technologist to join a busy, collaborative food manufacturing business, playing a key role in developing exciting new products from initial concept through to launch.

This is a great opportunity for a hands-on food development professional who enjoys recipe creation, customer interaction and bringing new ideas to life.

The Role

You'll lead the concept and recipe development stage of the NPD process, translating customer briefs into innovative, commercially viable products.

Working closely with customers, suppliers and internal teams, you'll develop recipes, prepare samples and support product trials, ensuring projects meet customer expectations, technical specifications, nutritional targets and deadlines.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading concept development and recipe creation for new and existing products.
• Working directly with customers to understand briefs and deliver tailored product samples.
• Developing recipes and preparing samples through hands‑on kitchen and factory trials.
• Working collaboratively with NPD, Technical, Quality, Operations and Supply Chain teams.
• Ensuring formulations meet customer specifications, nutritional targets and food safety requirements.
• Managing development projects, documentation and critical path deadlines.
• Supporting product trials, launches and continuous product improvement.

About You

You’ll ideally have:

• A Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry or related qualification.
• Around three years’ experience within food manufacturing, ideally in NPD or product development.
• Experience in recipe development and taking products from concept towards launch.
• Good knowledge of ingredients, formulations and their functionality.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of customer requirements.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence working with customers and internal teams.
• Good IT skills, particularly Excel.
• HACCP Level 2/3 and knowledge of food labelling legislation would be advantageous.