Graduate NPD / Junior NPD Technologist

Drnewitt; Leek; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Drnewitt is recruiting a Graduate NPD Technologist to join their development team in North Staffordshire/South Cheshire border. The role supports the full product development lifecycle, from concept through to commercial launch, focusing on health, wellbeing, sports nutrition and functional foods.

You'll work with experienced NPD, Technical and Commercial colleagues to develop new products, run formulation work and trials, and ensure quality and regulatory compliance while building your career

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition or a related discipline.
• Placement year experience or 12+ months within food manufacturing NPD.
• Passion for health, wellbeing, functional foods, supplements or sports nutrition.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Enthusiastic, curious and eager to learn.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• A proactive mindset and genuine interest in food innovation.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of new health, wellbeing and nutrition products.
• Assist with product formulation, factory trials and product launches.
• Research emerging food, ingredient and consumer trends.
• Prepare samples for customer presentations and product evaluations.
• Work closely with Operations, Technical and Commercial teams.
• Help ensure products meet quality, regulatory and customer requirements.
• Participate in taste panels, product benchmarking and competitor reviews.
• Support continuous improvement and value engineering projects.
• Maintain accurate product specifications and development documentation.

Skills

Organisation

Communication

Curious & Eager

Project management

Proactive mindset

Education

Degree in Food Science/Technology/Nutrition or related

Job description

Job Description

Graduate NPD Technologist

Location: North Staffordshire / South Cheshire Border Salary: £30,000 - £40,000 + Benefits Industry: Health, Wellbeing & Nutrition Products

Launch Your Career in Nutrition Innovation

Are you a Food Science graduate with industry placement experience, or an early-career NPD professional looking to specialise in the exciting world of health, wellbeing, functional foods and nutrition products?

We're recruiting on behalf of an innovative and growing nutrition manufacturer seeking a Graduate NPD Technologist to join their development team. This is an outstanding opportunity to build your career within a business developing cutting‑edge health, wellness, sports nutrition and functional food products for a diverse customer base.

Working alongside experienced NPD, Technical and Commercial professionals, you'll gain exposure to the full product development lifecycle, from concept creation through to commercial launch.

What You'll Be Doing

• Support the development of new health, wellbeing and nutrition products.
• Assist with product formulation, factory trials and product launches.
• Research emerging food, ingredient and consumer trends.
• Prepare samples for customer presentations and product evaluations.
• Work closely with Operations, Technical and Commercial teams.
• Help ensure products meet quality, regulatory and customer requirements.
• Participate in taste panels, product benchmarking and competitor reviews.
• Support continuous improvement and value engineering projects.
• Maintain accurate product specifications and development documentation.

What We're Looking For

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition or a related discipline.
• Placement year experience or 12+ months within food manufacturing NPD.
• Passion for health, wellbeing, functional foods, supplements or sports nutrition.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Enthusiastic, curious and eager to learn.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• A proactive mindset and genuine interest in food innovation.

Why This Opportunity?

• Excellent opportunity to develop a long‑term career within nutrition innovation.
• Learn from experienced industry professionals.
• Exposure to exciting product categories including sports nutrition, wellbeing and functional foods.
• Genuine career progression into NPD Technologist, Senior Technologist and NPD Manager positions.
• Join a growing business where your ideas and development are valued.

Ideal For

• Food Science Graduates with placement experience.
• NPD Assistants or NPD Technologists looking to accelerate their career.
• Technical or Quality professionals looking to move into product development.
• Individuals with a passion for nutrition, health and wellness products who want to build specialist expertise within a high‑growth sector.

If you're looking for an opportunity to combine your passion for food innovation with the rapidly growing health and nutrition market, we'd love to hear from you.