Principle Development Technologist

Zest Recruitment; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Derbyshire-based Principal S&D Technologist role within a leading global food ingredients business, recruited via Zest Recruitment. You will develop and execute key innovation, technical, and value leadership projects, while maintaining confidentiality around formulas and IP.

You will build capability in local teams, collaborate with Global and Regional category teams across Europe, and focus on sustainability, health and nutrition, as well as knowledge transfer and budget management.

Qualifications

• Proven NPD experience gained within UK food manufacturing.
• Ability to work independently, using sound judgement and ingenuity to approach complex innovation and technology projects.
• Strong technical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and timelines effectively.
• Genuine leadership qualities to guide projects through to successful completion.
• Collaborative, resilient, and customer-focused approach.
• Enthusiastic and energetic with a sense of urgency.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute key innovation, technical, and value leadership projects.
• Build capability within local teams and support regional projects with Global and Regional category teams.
• Own knowledge management and knowledge transfer initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external technology partners, co‑manufacturers, and ingredient suppliers.
• Communicate across internal functions to exchange technical information and keep projects on track.
• Prepare presentations, work instructions, training documents, and detailed technical reports.
• Manage project budgets and lead nutritional reformulation projects.

Skills

NPD experience

Independent working

Technical skills

Problem-solving

Leadership

Project budgeting

Collaborative

Job description

About the Company

We are recruiting on behalf of a leading global food ingredients business for a Principal Development Technologist to join their R&D function in Derbyshire. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced NPD professional with a background in UK food manufacturing to take on a leading role in shaping the company's technical expertise and capabilities, driving innovation that supports the wider business growth strategy across Europe.

Role Overview

As Principal S&D Technologist, you will take responsibility for developing and executing key innovation, technical, and value leadership projects, playing a central role in building capability within local teams. You will work closely with both Global and Regional category teams to support the delivery of regional projects, while also taking ownership of knowledge management and knowledge transfer more widely. Building and maintaining strong relationships with external technology partners, co‑manufacturers, and ingredient suppliers will be a key part of the role, helping to bring the business's Purpose Driven Strategy to life with a particular focus on sustainability and health and nutrition. You will communicate regularly across a wide range of internal functions, including Unit and European R&D teams, Regulatory, Nutrition, Marketing, and Quality, to exchange technical information and ensure projects stay on track. You will also manage project budgets and lead nutritional reformulation projects, while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality around product formulas and intellectual property.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute key innovation, technical, and value leadership projects.
• Build capability within local teams and support regional projects with Global and Regional category teams.
• Own knowledge management and knowledge transfer initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external technology partners, co‑manufacturers, and ingredient suppliers.
• Communicate across internal functions to exchange technical information and keep projects on track.
• Prepare presentations, work instructions, training documents, and detailed technical reports.
• Manage project budgets and lead nutritional reformulation projects.

Qualifications

• Proven NPD experience gained within UK food manufacturing.
• Ability to work independently, using sound judgement and ingenuity to approach complex innovation and technology projects.
• Strong technical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and timelines effectively.
• Genuine leadership qualities to guide projects through to successful completion.
• Collaborative, resilient, and customer‑focused approach.
• Enthusiastic and energetic with a sense of urgency.