NPD Test Baker

Reed Specialist Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed Specialist Recruitment is partnering with a well-established food manufacturer to appoint an NPD Test Baker to join their technical team in London. You will develop bakery mixes and flour-based products from concept through to commercial launch, collaborating closely with technical, production and commercial teams.

The role suits someone with hands-on bakery or test bakery experience, strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple projects independently.

Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing.
• Experience developing bakery products, mixes or flour-based products.
• Hands-on bakery or test bakery experience.
• Understanding of product development from concept through to launch.
• Knowledge of food safety, GMP, quality systems and technical documentation.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Developing new bakery products in line with customer and business requirements.
• Conducting bakery trials and test baking activities.
• Supporting product maintenance and continuous improvement projects.
• Providing technical support to commercial and production teams.
• Developing recipes for customer presentations and promotional activity.
• Evaluating competitor products and market trends.
• Assisting with specification management and technical documentation.
• Supporting quality, GMP and food safety initiatives.
• Maintaining accurate product development records.
• Assisting with sample preparation for customers and sales teams.

Skills

Bakery product development

Project management

Communication

Problem-solving

IT skills

Driving licence

Independent work

Multitasking

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

NPD Test Baker

Do you have a passion for bakery innovation and turning great ideas into commercially successful products?

We're partnering with a well-established and highly respected food manufacturing business that is investing in its product development function and looking to appoint an NPD Test Baker to join their technical team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with bakery product development experience who enjoys taking concepts from idea through to launch while working closely with technical, production and commercial teams.

The Role

You’ll play a key role in the development of innovative bakery mixes and flour-based products, managing projects from concept through to commercial launch.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing new products in line with customer and business requirements
• Conducting bakery trials and test baking activities
• Supporting product maintenance and continuous improvement projects
• Providing technical support to commercial and production teams
• Developing recipes for customer presentations and promotional activity
• Evaluating competitor products and market trends
• Assisting with specification management and technical documentation
• Supporting quality, GMP and food safety initiatives
• Maintaining accurate product development records
• Assisting with sample preparation for customers and sales teams

About You

• Experience within food manufacturing
• Experience developing bakery products, mixes, premixes or flour-based products
• Practical hands‑on bakery or test bakery experience
• Understanding of product development processes from concept through to launch
• Knowledge of food safety, GMP, quality systems and technical documentation
• Strong communication and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office
• Full UK driving licence

Highly Desirable

• Experience within a flour milling, bakery ingredients, premix or commercial bakery environment
• Knowledge of ingredient functionality, dough systems and baking processes
• Understanding of scaling products from test bakery to full production
• Experience working with ERP systems
• Commercial awareness and a creative approach to product innovation

What's on Offer?

• Opportunity to shape new product innovation within a growing business
• Clear progression within 12 months
• Collaborative and supportive technical team
• Exposure to major customer projects
• Genuine opportunity to influence product strategy and development
• Competitive salary and benefits package

If you're a bakery-focused NPD professional looking for your next challenge and want to work in an environment where your ideas can make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.