Food Development Technologist

AWD online; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

Employee assistance programme

Company pension

Job summary

AWD online is seeking a Food Development Technologist in Gateshead to shape innovative meat products and translate practical food knowledge into customer-ready solutions. You will work across Technical, Production, NPD, Procurement and Commercial teams to drive formulation improvements.

The role emphasizes product development, trials, supplier collaboration and presenting ideas to internal stakeholders and customers, with a hands-on approach in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Meat or food industry experience essential.
• Knowledge of food safety principles required.
• Familiarity with HACCP and manufacturing processes.
• Understanding of meat raw materials and processing.
• Strong attention to detail and drive for success.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Good written and verbal communication.
• Collaborative with production and technical teams.
• Hands-on problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Product development and formulation of meat products.
• Conduct trials and pilot plant runs to evaluate ingredients and methods.
• Collaborate with suppliers and R&D teams on ingredients and technologies.
• Keep up to date with industry trends and regulatory changes affecting meat processing.
• Support investigations into product quality issues and corrective actions.
• Present product ideas internally and to customers.

Skills

Hands-on experience

Meat industry knowledge

Quality awareness

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Tools

Pilot plant operations

Job description

Food Development Technologist

Bring hands-on food industry experience into a creative product development position, developing and improving meat products while supporting quality, food safety and technical standards. Butchery experience can provide a strong route into this opportunity.

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you: Food Technologist, NPD Technologist, Development Technologist, R&D Technologist, Application Technologist, Meat Technologist, Process Technologist, Product Developer, Food Developer

SALARY: £28,000 - £30,000 per annum + Benefits

LOCATION: Felling, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, North East England

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent

WORKING HOURS: 37.5 Hours per Week, Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

JOB OVERVIEW

This is an excellent opportunity to shape innovative meat products and turn practical food knowledge into customer-ready solutions.

The Food Development Technologist will develop and optimise formulations and processing methods, helping products meet customer, regulatory and company standards. Working across Technical, Production, NPD, Procurement and Commercial teams, the Food Development Technologist supports innovation and technical excellence.

Customer-facing presentations and practical trials give the Food Development Technologist scope to contribute ideas, solve problems and improve product quality.

DUTIES

• Product Development and Formulation: Develop and refine meat product formulations, including sausages, patties, cured meats and other processed meat products

• Trials and Pilot Plant Runs: Conduct product trials and pilot plant runs to evaluate ingredients, processing methods and equipment

• Supplier and R&D Collaboration: Work with suppliers and R&D teams to source and evaluate new ingredients and technologies

• Industry and Regulatory Awareness: Keep up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies and regulatory changes affecting meat processing

• Quality Issue Support: Support investigations into product quality issues, complaints, non-conformances and corrective actions

• Internal and Customer Presentations: Present product ideas internally and to customers

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

• Previous experience within the meat, food manufacturing or wider food industry

• Good understanding of food safety and quality principles

• Good knowledge of HACCP and food manufacturing processes

• Understanding of meat raw materials and processing

• Strong attention to detail and drive for success

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

• Good written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work collaboratively with production and technical teams

• Practical, hands-on approach to problem solving

Offer is subject to a drugs and alcohol test

BENEFITS

• 28 days annual leave

• Employee assistance programme

• Company pension