NPD Technologist (6 Month Fixed Term Contract)

Humdinger; Leeds; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days + bank holidays annual leave

4% employer pension

5% employee pension

Life assurance plan x4 basic salary

Salary sacrifice schemes (pension, cy

electric car

Healthcare cash plan via paycare

Job summary

Humdinger’s Sherburn in Elmet site seeks an NPD Technologist to help bring innovative snacking and confectionery products from concept to launch. The role is a 6-month temporary full-time contract based at the Sherburn in Elmet site, working standard hours 08:30-16:30 with some flexibility.

You’ll support development, manage samples, coordinate trials, ensure quality & compliance, and collaborate with multiple teams to deliver new products on schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field.
• Experience developing food products, ideally in snacking or confectionery.
• Excellent communication skills at technical and commercial levels.
• Strong team player, adaptable to changing priorities.
• Good IT skills and experience with recipe management systems.
• Solid project management and organisational skills.
• Detail-conscious and able to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Follow the NPD development timeline, ensuring all requirements (ingredients, equipment, cost, HACCP, Recipe Professor, etc.) are met by liaising with internal and external teams.
• Manage sample requests, developing samples as needed and keeping the NPD Manager and Innovations Team updated on progress.
• Work with Supplier Assurance to ensure new raw materials meet customer codes of practice and company standards.
• Record weights, process methods, and recipes in the Recipe Professor system, ensuring updates are made throughout the development cycle.
• Complete Feasibility Assessments with Operations, Technical, and Supply Chain teams, identifying and mitigating any risks before customer presentations.
• Document and track the Bill of Materials to ensure accuracy from development to launch.
• ‘Sent sample’ emails to be sent to relevant parties with sign off comments from NPD Manager.
• Assist the Packaging Developer in defining the right pack size during development.
• Coordinate with the Factory team to agree on pre-trial objectives and ensure trials are completed on schedule, in line with critical path timelines.
• Ensure post-trial reports are documented, shared with the team, and follow up on actions for a smooth product launch.
• Periodically evaluate shelf life for all new and existing products, working with the Technical team to complete documentation and photos for customer approval.
• Oversee Nutritional Testing and validate EPD Nutritional data, keeping the Specifications Team updated.
• Document Quality Attributes for new and existing products, ensuring they are signed off by Operations & Technical before being sent to the Customer Technologist for final approval.
• Ensure Pre-Pack Launch Meetings (PPLM’s) are completed on time, covering all aspects of the product, and hand over workbooks to the Factory.
• Attend internal and customer-facing meetings, providing regular updates on product development to key stakeholders.

Skills

Communication skills

Team player

Project management

Attention to detail

IT skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Food Science/Technology

Tools

Recipe management systems

Job description

Overview

NPD Technologist

Humdinger, Sherburn in Elmet

We’re looking for an NPD Technologist to join our Humdinger site in Sherburn in Elmet and help bring innovative snacking and confectionery products to life. You’ll play a key role in supporting the development process from concept to launch, ensuring projects meet customer requirements and internal standards.

Position type: Temporary Full-Time - 6 month contract

Hours: 37.5

Hours: Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 16:30 (We are open to being flexible on these times)

Breaks: 30 minutes

Closing date: Friday 25th September 2026.

Responsibilities

Supporting the Development Process:

• Follow the NPD development timeline, ensuring all requirements (ingredients, equipment, cost, HACCP, Recipe Professor, etc.) are met by liaising with internal and external teams.
• Manage sample requests, developing samples as needed and keeping the NPD Manager and Innovations Team updated on progress.
• Work with Supplier Assurance to ensure new raw materials meet customer codes of practice and company standards.

Documentation & Record Keeping:

• Record weights, process methods, and recipes in the Recipe Professor system, ensuring updates are made throughout the development cycle.
• Complete Feasibility Assessments with Operations, Technical, and Supply Chain teams, identifying and mitigating any risks before customer presentations.
• Document and track the Bill of Materials to ensure accuracy from development to launch.
• ‘Sent sample’ emails to be sent to relevant parties with sign off comments from NPD Manager.

Packaging & Trial Coordination:

• Assist the Packaging Developer in defining the right pack size during development.
• Coordinate with the Factory team to agree on pre-trial objectives and ensure trials are completed on schedule, in line with critical path timelines.
• Ensure post-trial reports are documented, shared with the team, and follow up on actions for a smooth product launch.

Quality & Compliance:

• Periodically evaluate shelf life for all new and existing products, working with the Technical team to complete documentation and photos for customer approval.
• Oversee Nutritional Testing and validate EPD Nutritional data, keeping the Specifications Team updated.
• Document Quality Attributes for new and existing products, ensuring they are signed off by Operations & Technical before being sent to the Customer Technologist for final approval.

Team Collaboration & Stakeholder Communication:

• Ensure Pre-Pack Launch Meetings (PPLM’s) are completed on time, covering all aspects of the product, and hand over workbooks to the Factory.
• Attend internal and customer-facing meetings, providing regular updates on product development to key stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) in Food Science, Food Technology, or related technical subject. (Or equivalent experience)
• Practical experience in developing food products, ideally in snacking or confectionery.
• Excellent communication skills at technical and commercial levels.
• Strong team player, adaptable to changing priorities.
• Good IT skills and experience with recipe management systems.
• Solid project management and organisational skills.
• Detail-conscious and able to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Rewards Benefits

• 25 days + bank holidays annual leave
• 4% employer and 5 % employee pension plan
• Life assurance plan x4 basic salary
• Various salary sacrifice schemes including pension payments, cycle to work and electric car (subject to meeting minimum criteria)
• Healthcare cash plan via paycare (Dental, Optical, Chiropody, Professional Therapy, Counselling) with a value over £400 each year

About Us

Humdinger’s Sherburn-in-Elmet site is a fast-growing confectionery facility producing over 5,000 tonnes of chocolate and snacking products annually. With advanced technologies including belt coating, button manufacture, drop rolling, and hard panning, the site supports a diverse customer base across retail, third-party, and B2B channels. The site offers a dynamic environment where technical leadership plays a pivotal role in driving quality, compliance, and innovation.

Zertus UK & Ireland is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.