New Product Development Graduate - Carmarthenshire

Prospects; Northern Ireland; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

1-to-1 coaching

Dedicated mentors

Rotational development opportunities

Job summary

Dunbia is inviting applications for its Brighter Futures New Product Development Graduate to join a hands-on, fast-paced development programme. You’ll move from consumer and market insight through innovation, product development and factory scale-up to customer launch, gaining real understanding of how successful food products are created and manufactured.

You will work with our Culinary team to turn ideas into concepts, manage NPD projects, and gain exposure to manufacturing, cost and margin

Qualifications

• A relevant degree or equivalent qualification, ideally within Food Science, Food Technology, Product Development, Culinary Innovation, Nutrition or a related discipline.
• A genuine passion for food, products and innovation.
• An interest in food manufacturing and the UK retail and foodservice markets.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• The ability to coordinate multiple priorities and projects.
• Excellent attention to detail while maintaining sight of the overall objective.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Confidence working collaboratively as part of a cross-functional team.
• Strong numerical capability and developing commercial awareness.

Responsibilities

• Bring ideas to life, supporting the development of new and improved products from initial concept through to customer launch.
• Explore future food trends, using consumer, market and retail insight to identify new product and innovation opportunities.
• Work alongside our Culinary team to turn ideas and customer briefs into exciting product concepts.
• Develop your understanding of ingredients, food science, product functionality and manufacturing processes.
• Manage NPD projects and critical paths, building the confidence to take increasing ownership of projects as your experience grows.
• Get hands-on in our manufacturing environment, supporting factory trials, product scale-up and first production runs.
• Work with Operations to understand how products can be designed to deliver consistently, efficiently and at the right quality.
• Develop commercial awareness by understanding product cost, yield, waste, labour and margin and how these influence development decisions.
• Participate in customer meetings, product presentations, retail visits, food events and innovation sessions.
• Build strong relationships across NPD, Technical, Operations, Commercial, Procurement and Supply Chain.
• Bring your own fresh thinking, curiosity and ideas to help challenge how we do things today.

Education

Food Science degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Our Brighter Futures Graduate Programme is designed to develop the next generation of talent within Dunbia, and we are looking for an ambitious and curious New Product Development Graduate to join us. This is much more than supporting new product launches. You’ll experience the journey from consumer and market insight through innovation, product development and factory scale-up to customer launch, giving you a real understanding of how successful food products are created and manufactured. If you have a passion for food, love solving problems and want to see your ideas come to life on supermarket shelves, this could be the start of an exciting career with Dunbia.

Responsibilities

• Bring ideas to life, supporting the development of new and improved products from initial concept through to customer launch.
• Explore future food trends, using consumer, market and retail insight to identify new product and innovation opportunities.
• Work alongside our Culinary team to turn ideas and customer briefs into exciting product concepts.
• Develop your understanding of ingredients, food science, product functionality and manufacturing processes.
• Manage NPD projects and critical paths, building the confidence to take increasing ownership of projects as your experience grows.
• Get hands‑on in our manufacturing environment, supporting factory trials, product scale‑up and first production runs.
• Work with Operations to understand how products can be designed to deliver consistently, efficiently and at the right quality.
• Develop commercial awareness by understanding product cost, yield, waste, labour and margin and how these influence development decisions.
• Participate in customer meetings, product presentations, retail visits, food events and innovation sessions.
• Build strong relationships across NPD, Technical, Operations, Commercial, Procurement and Supply Chain.
• Bring your own fresh thinking, curiosity and ideas to help challenge how we do things today.

Most importantly, you won't just observe. As your knowledge and confidence develop, we'll give you increasing responsibility and the opportunity to own projects and make a tangible impact on the business.

With us you would receive

• 1-to-1 coaching, dedicated mentors, and bespoke management development to help you grow professionally.
• Fast track career progression and the potential to rotate to different areas of the business, broadening your horizons and giving you the chance to explore new challenges.
• The opportunity to learn from passionate and knowledgeable people with invaluable on-the-job training.
• Investment in residential offsite training and team building to further enhance your skills, ensuring you stay ahead of the game.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree or equivalent qualification, ideally within Food Science, Food Technology, Product Development, Culinary Innovation, Nutrition or a related discipline.
• A genuine passion for food, products and innovation.
• An interest in food manufacturing and the UK retail and foodservice markets.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• The ability to coordinate multiple priorities and projects.
• Excellent attention to detail while maintaining sight of the overall objective.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Confidence working collaboratively as part of a cross‑functional team.
• Strong numerical capability and developing commercial awareness.
• Competence in Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• The ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, customer‑led manufacturing environment.
• The right to work in the UK by the commencement of employment.

Desirable

• Understanding of basic food science and food manufacturing principles.
• Knowledge or awareness of current and emerging food and consumer trends.
• Previous experience within food manufacturing, retail, hospitality or product development through a placement, internship or employment.
• Awareness of food safety, quality management systems and relevant manufacturing standards.
• Level 2 Health & Safety and/or Level 3 Food Safety qualifications.

Dunbia is one of Europe’s leading food companies. Founded in 1976, Dunbia is a family business with down to earth values and the desire to create better food naturally is the driving force behind everything we do. Through a combination of organic growth, strategic acquisition and entrepreneurial vision Dunbia has grown into a multi‑site, multi‑species operation, processing cattle and sheep for national and international markets. Headquartered in Northern Ireland with 13 sites throughout the UK, Dunbia is a division of Dawn Meats employing over 5,200 people across a wide range of high‑tech and multi skilled disciplines.

Where to meet us We'll be attending a number of graduate careers events this year - take a look at our website to find out when to pop along and say hello.

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