NPD Technologist

Alexander Steele; Normanton and Altofts; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking an experienced Product Developer for a food business in Normanton and Altofts. The successful candidate will manage innovative product development projects, liaise with commercial teams, and ensure high technical standards. This role requires a Food Science degree and experience in food manufacturing. Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach towards food innovation are essential. This position offers a competitive salary of £38,000 - £40,000, along with benefits including hybrid working, 25 days holiday, and a company pension.

Benefits

25 days + bank holidays

Company pension

Opportunity for hybrid working

Exposure to multiple product categories

Innovative development projects

Qualifications

• Motivated and organised product developer with a strong grounding in food science.
• Hands-on development experience in food manufacturing.
• Experience within a food manufacturing environment in an NPD role.

Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver customer and internally driven development projects.
• Coordinate development workloads and ensure projects meet timelines.
• Act as a technical partner to the commercial team.
• Develop new recipes, concepts, and applications.
• Research ingredient functionality and identify new opportunities.
• Contribute to project reviews and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Problem solving

Project management

Communication

Collaboration

Food innovation

Education

Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, or related discipline

Job description

Alexander Steele Recruitment is working in partnership with a well established food business to recruit an experienced Product Developer. This is an excellent opportunity for a technically strong and commercially aware developer to join a forward thinking NPD team and play a key role in delivering innovative food solutions to their customers.

On offer

• £38,000 - £40,000 doe
• 25 days + bank holidays
• Company pension
• Opportunity for hybrid working
• Exposure to multiple product categories and innovative development projects

The Opportunity

This role will suit someone who enjoys managing multiple development projects while working closely with commercial teams and customers. You will be involved in creating new product applications, supporting sales activity, and ensuring development work is delivered efficiently and to a high technical standard.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver customer and internally driven development projects from brief through to completion
• Coordinate development workloads and ensure projects are prioritised and delivered to agreed timelines
• Act as a technical partner to the commercial team, providing customer support and application expertise
• Develop new recipes, concepts, and application ideas across a broad range of food categories
• Research ingredient functionality and identify new commercial opportunities
• Contribute to regular project review meetings and to continuous improvement within NPD processes
• Produce and maintain application documentation, technical guides, and supporting data
• Ensure all development activity complies with food safety and regulatory requirements

Candidate Profile

Our client is looking for a motivated and organised product developer with a strong grounding in food science and hands-on development experience.

The ideal candidate will have

• A degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, or a related discipline
• Experience within a food manufacturing environment in an NPD role.
• Strong formulation, problem solving, and project management skills
• The ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• A collaborative approach and a genuine passion for food innovation