NPD Technologist

The Compleat Food Group; Ebbw Vale; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food industry is seeking a Product Development Coordinator to support NPD and Continuous Improvement efforts. The role involves managing the product launch process and ensures compliance with food safety and quality standards in a collaborative environment. Candidates should have a passion for food, strong organizational skills, and a degree in a related field.

Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing within FMCG is required.
• Basic knowledge of HACCP/Food Safety training desirable.
• Passion for food and eagerness to learn in a fast-paced industry.

Responsibilities

• Deliver NPD/EPD process from kitchen handover to launch.
• Organize process trials, set objectives, and communicate across teams.
• Lead product launches and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Planning

Organization

Project Management

Effective Communication

Problem-Solving

Education

HND/Degree in food-related or manufacturing subject

Job description

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To support the effective delivery of the NPD, EPD, and Continuous Improvement agenda across the group, in line with the Compleat Food Group and customer category plans. Follow the Compleat Food Group’s Product Launch Process to deliver timely development of new and existing products, aligning with brand strategy, category pipeline plans, growth aspirations, and meeting all brand and customer standards.

Key Accountabilities

What Good Looks Like

General:

Ensure effective delivery of the NPD / EPD process from kitchen handover to launch, aligned with customer category plans.

• Deliver the NPD agenda within required costs and timescales.
• Scale up products within site food safety and technical standards.
• Manage all stages of project critical paths, understanding deviations' implications.
• Collaborate with other Development team members across projects to bring new products and processes to life across accounts.

Verify:

Assist Process teams to move products from kitchen to factory, ensuring quality and margin objectives are met.

• Organize process trials, set objectives, and communicate with relevant teams.
• Support ordering and assessment of ingredients/packaging for trials.
• Conduct production trials adhering to site standards, responsible for execution across all areas.
• Gather trial data: run rates, weights, settings, labor, washouts, data logs.
• Coordinate with production and planning for batch sizes and processing requirements.
• Liaise with engineering for equipment needs or modifications.
• Coordinate shelf life and nutritional testing, liaising with technical departments.
• Complete storage, organoleptic, re-heat validation, packaging, and transit trials.
• Coordinate with site chefs and development managers for verification panels.
• Report and manage product amendments and re-costing at handover.
• Ensure trial materials meet standards across sites.

Verify:

Lead documentation efforts to support product development to auditable standards.

• Follow development procedures and update as necessary.
• Assist in writing factory specifications.
• Participate in HACCP meetings for raw material approval.
• Complete process flow, food safety documents, trial reports, and sign-offs.
• Review nutritional data and compare against standards.
• Organize microbiological testing and sign-offs.
• Maintain organized records of products and artwork sign-offs.

Launch:

Lead product launch to meet standards.

• Support PPR meetings, trial adjustments, and readiness checks.
• Ensure all paperwork and handovers are complete.
• Verify BOM, recipe, and costings before launch.
• Train production shifts on new products.
• Manage collection of samples for customer delivery.
• Review launched products and resolve issues.

Review:

Drive proactive process development and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Support post-launch reviews and internal benchmarking.
• Assist in solving manufacturing issues and cost modeling.
• Identify cost savings and efficiencies.
• Engage with suppliers for process and ingredient improvements.
• Communicate effectively across teams.
• Support sample dispatch and site collaborations.

Promote Health and Safety Culture

• Adhere to all H&S requirements during development work.

Encourage safe practices and report unsafe conditions immediately.

General:

• May require work at other sites or during weekends/nights.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Experience:

• Passion for food with a desire to learn in a fast-paced industry.
• HND/Degree in a food-related or manufacturing subject (desirable).
• Experience in food manufacturing within FMCG.
• HACCP/Food Safety training or basic knowledge.

Key Skills:

• Planning, organization, and project management.
• Effective communication at all levels.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Basic computing skills.

Qualities:

• Enthusiasm for food and product tasting.
• Problem-solving mindset.
• Motivated to learn and grow.
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills.