NPD Development Technologist - 6-month fixed term contract

Frank Roberts & Sons Limited; Northwich; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading company as a Development Technologist in the bread sector. You will support product development from concept to launch, ensuring compliance with quality standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and leverage your food science expertise to drive innovation and meet consumer expectations.

Qualifications

• Over 2 years of Development Technologist experience.
• Strong technical expertise in food processes, especially in bread and biscuits industries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and reformulate products from concept to launch.
• Collaborate closely with marketing, procurement, quality, and production teams.
• Support NPD projects at the Ilkeston site.

Skills

Project Management

Communication

Collaboration

Attention to Detail

Education

Food science Degree

Job description

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Development Technologist - Bread

This is an exciting opportunity to join Frank Roberts & Sons to support our growth plans. You will support the bread Research & Development (R&D) team as a creative and detail-oriented individual. Your responsibilities include developing and reformulating products from concept to launch, ensuring they meet consumer expectations, internal QMS standards, and commercial viability. The role requires strong technical knowledge of ingredients, food processes, sensory evaluation, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, procurement, quality, and production teams.

What You Will Contribute

1. Maintain the NPD documentation for both brand and non-brand projects. Lead some projects and support all Bread projects.
2. Support the team by being a true food enthusiast, aware of market trends, insights, and competitors, with a strong commercial awareness beyond just the bakery category.
3. Carry out concept development for both EPD and true NPD projects. Support the longer-term innovation pipeline under guidance from the Senior NPD Technologist/NPD Manager.
4. Nurture strong customer relationships by understanding the end user/consumer to proactively deliver NPD/EPD programmes aligned with Channel & Customer Strategy. Visit customers as required.
5. Collaborate closely with the costing process to ensure new products meet both customer and internal targets.
6. Work alongside strategic suppliers to support NPD projects and serve as a specialist resource for the team.
7. Support NPD projects at the Ilkeston site, working with the local team to achieve project deliverables, which may involve travel to Ilkeston.
8. Follow the Product Development procedure, ensuring compliance with BRC and customer-specific policies, working closely with Technical colleagues on allergens and HACCP.
9. Provide troubleshooting support to Operations, including assistance with harvest transition and cost engineering projects.

What You Will Bring

1. Food science Degree or equivalent in a technical discipline.
2. Over 2 years of Development Technologist experience.
3. Strong technical expertise in food processes, especially in bread and biscuits industries, with a good understanding of manufacturing processes and confidence working on plant and equipment.
4. Knowledge of the product development cycle, including internal QMS procedures and experience with Top 4 retailer NPD systems/processes.
5. Awareness of Food Labelling, Product Specifications, Nutritional information, Raw material specifications, and packaging.
6. Project Management skills across multidisciplinary teams, including risk analysis, mitigation, and meeting critical deadlines.
7. Awareness of external developments in Food Science, Technology, Sensory Science, and related legislation.
8. Collaborative work style, attention to detail, and a commitment to completing all project elements.
9. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with flexibility and agility in approach.
10. A proactive leader with the ability to influence peers and senior colleagues.