NPD Assistant

Pieminister; Bristol; On-site; GBP 28,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading pie manufacturer in Bristol is seeking a part-time NPD Assistant to work closely with the Head of Food on product development. The role involves preparing food products, assisting with factory trials, and ensuring effective coordination across departments. Ideal candidates will have a passion for food, excellent communication skills, and a hands-on approach. The company offers great benefits including performance bonuses, pension contributions, and extensive holiday allowances.

Benefits

Free food, tea & coffee

Quarterly Performance Bonus

Long Term Incentive Bonus

Company pension contributions

29 days holiday plus an additional day per year

Paid volunteering day

Staff discount meals

Cycle to work scheme

Continuous training and development

Qualifications

• Experience as an NPD Assistant or a willingness to learn in food manufacturing.
• Ability to adapt to changing workdays.
• Strong written and computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook food products in the NPD kitchen.
• Assist with factory trials and consumer testing prep/admin.
• Conduct benchmarking sessions and modify recipes.

Skills

Hands-on and proactive

Good communication skills

Attention to detail

Organised with excellent time management

Passion for food

Job description

20 hrs per week

About the role

We are looking for a part-time NPD Assistant who will work closely with the Head of Food to develop new products and guide them through to launch. This role is key in coordinating activities across multiple departments and requires a hands-on approach, collaborating with both suppliers and internal stakeholders. Responsibilities include supporting the day-to-day operations of the food department in line with established procedures and the gated innovation process. The position also ensures effective information flow between Brand, Technical, Procurement, Operations, Finance, and Sales teams.

Responsibilities and skills:

Variety of responsibilities including:

• Preparing and cooking food products in the NPD kitchen.
• Aiding with projects to consistently deliver in line with each critical path and the NPD gated process.
• Assisting with factory trials.
• Consumer testing prep/admin
• Benchmarking sessions / shopping
• Modifying existing recipes to the given requirements e.g. Consumer demands, upgrading, cost reductions

About you

We are looking for either an experienced NPD Assistant or an enthusiastic individual with a willingness to learn and an interest in food manufacturing. The candidate should have a good level of communication skills, attention to detail and be able to work well as part of a team.

Skills and Attributes

• Hands-on and proactive
• Ability to adapt and react to interesting and ever-changing workdays
• An excellent communicator with strong written and computer skills
• A passion for food
• Organised with excellent time management

Desirable

Driving licence with own car

We do not expect candidates to meet all of the above requirements, if you feel that you meet some of these and are interested in the role, please apply.

About our pay and benefits

We offer a comprehensive package, which like our pies aims to cater to all. From free food, tea & coffee, and time off to support your passion to training, coaching and skills-based progression plan. There’s something for everyone here.

• Salary of £27,500 (pro rata)
• Quarterly Performance Bonus (up to 7.5% of salary)
• Long Term Incentive Bonus (up to 5% of salary)
• Plan for the future with company pension contributions
• 29 days holiday (including bank holidays) plus 1 day extra per year you work with us (up to 4 years)
• 1 paid volunteering day a year
• All the pies you could eat at cost price
• Up to £500 worth of pie and mash for the wedding of your dreams
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff discount meals in our restaurants and lunch on us every week (Pie day Friday!)
• Continuous training and development to grow within the world of pie

About Pieminister

From a small pie kitchen, café and festival stall in 2003, Pieminister has grown into the UK’s No 1 premium hot pie brand. An independent family business with its foundations firmly rooted in sustainability, Pieminister is a B Corp and aims to be Net Zero by 2040: just one of the commitments laid out in the company’s Pies Planet People goals.

With a growing number of Pie & Mash restaurants opening across the UK and 100s of retailers and pubs stocking their award winning products, Pieminister has gained a reputation as the go-to pie for those in the know.

The company is led by its original founders, brothers-in-law Jon and Tris. Their Pie Crew is a strong team of enthusiastic, entrepreneurial people who work hard and have fun. Everyone is included, respected and is committed to drive positive change together, one pie at a time!

As part of our Pies Planet People commitments, we strive to promote a diverse workforce and inclusive culture, where everyone feels valued and has their voice heard. As an equal opportunities employer, we want our workplace to be somewhere everyone knows they are truly welcome.