Process Technologist

Bighams Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Benefits package

Job summary

Bighams Limited is seeking a Process Technologist to support NFD/EPD projects from concept to post-launch, providing process support and continuous improvement for the kitchen. You will lead production trials, manage trial plans, and collaborate with procurement and technical teams to ensure quality and compliance with NFD procedures.

The ideal candidate will have a food tech or science degree, experience in NPD/EPD, and a background in food manufacturing, preferably chilled meals.

Qualifications

• A genuine love for food.
• Experience with either NPD or EPD programmes.
• Previous food manufacturing experience, preferably chilled meals would be preferred.
• Food Technology or Food science-based degree.

Responsibilities

• Lead production trials ensuring alignment of all stakeholders at all stages of the project.
• Ensure all trials and projects run within the agreed critical path, communicating with the planning team and arranging through the trial plan.
• Lead pre- and post-trial meetings for all NFD team projects achieving cross-functional engagement.
• Lead trial food tastings ensuring the agreed dish quality is consistently delivered in line with sign-off standards.
• Set and communicate clear trial objectives, recommendations and outcomes from each trial.
• Organize and complete all required validations to ensure the success of our dishes, including organoleptic, cooking validations, freezer and transit as set out in the trial plan.
• Ensure all costings are accurate and updated on our P74 recipe system at each stage of development
• Lead a 'can-do' approach to our food production processes, always delivering exceptional quality with repeatable operational processes.
• Working with procurement and technical to ensure new raw materials meet agreed spec and quality parameters.
• Attend all required meetings throughout the NFD process, actively engaging and contributing to project success.
• Lead exceptional knowledge into our technical and production teams, providing engaging quality reviews and support through to trial to post-launch.
• Attend launch and positive release meetings, giving post launch support to all dishes
• Support ingredient projects whether it's quality improvements or supply challenges that we may face, ensuring consumer experience and quality remains a key decision driver.

Skills

NPD/EPD experience

Food manufacturing experience

Project management

Education

Food technology or food science degree

Job description

We are looking process technologist to support the NFD or EFD & Process Manager throughout the development process from concept to post-launch for EFD or NFD projects and to provide the kitchen with process support, problem solving and delivering continuous improvement and championing our food quality across the kitchen.

Role Responsibility

• Lead production trials ensuring alignment of all stakeholders at all stages of the project.
• Ensure all trials and projects run within the agreed critical path, communicating with the planning team and arranging through the trial plan.
• Lead pre- and post-trial meetings for all NFD team projects achieving cross-functional engagement.
• Lead trial food tastings ensuring the agreed dish quality is consistently delivered in line with sign-off standards.
• Set and communicate clear trial objectives, recommendations and outcomes from each trial.
• Organize and complete all required validations to ensure the success of our dishes, including organoleptic, cooking validations, freezer and transit as set out in the trial plan.
• Ensure all costings are accurate and updated on our P74 recipe system at each stage of development
• Lead a 'can-do' approach to our food production processes, always delivering exceptional quality with repeatable operational processes.
• Working with procurement and technical to ensure new raw materials meet agreed spec and quality parameters.
• Attend all required meetings throughout the NFD process, actively engaging and contributing to project success.
• Lead exceptional knowledge into our technical and production teams, providing engaging quality reviews and support through to trial to post-launch.
• Attend launch and positive release meetings, giving post launch support to all dishes
• Support ingredient projects whether it's quality improvements or supply challenges that we may face, ensuring consumer experience and quality remains a key decision driver.

Documents and Procedures:

• Follow all NFD procedures ensuring BRC always audit ready.
• Identify and embed documentation processes/paperwork improvements to drive efficiency.
• Provide conclusive trial reports from each trial with clear and accurate information, including recommendations and further actions required.
• Produce and deliver accurate paperwork and documents at all stages including site handover and operational process paperwork (Keycards, TAYGO)
• Ensure accurate and timely system updates on P74 & Syspro
• Support Process/Quality projects and equipment validation
• Provide root cause analysis and problem solving for production and process issues as they arise including material variance and quality issues
• Complete Quality Audits identifying and recommending improvement areas and ensure post-implementation support and reviews.
• Engage with our production and technical team at all levels, providing training where necessary

Projects:

• Work alone or as part of wider project teams to deliver to agreed goals

The Ideal Candidate

Qualifications and Experience:

• A genuine love for food.
• Experience with either NPD or EPD programmes
• Previous food manufacturing experience, preferably chilled meals would be preferred.
• Food Technology or Food science-based degree

Key Skills:

• A confident communicator who is informative and engaging
• Numerate with strong analytical skills
• Highly accurate
• Organised, able to manage and prioritise multiple tasks.
• Focused with excellent attention to detail.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Project management

Key Attributes:

• Passionate about great food.
• Full of drive & energy.
• Enjoys being part of a team.
• Creative and Innovative.
• Independent and proactive
• Comfortable in introducing and implementing change
• Salary Competitive Salary + Bonus + Benefits
• Frequency Annual
• Job Reference charliebighams/TP/17383/541
• Contract Type Permanent
• Closing Date 24 September, 2026
• Job Category New Food Development
• Business Unit New Food Development
• Location Park Royal, London NW10, United Kingdom