Product Designer - Sauces

Macphie UK; Glenbervie; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A family-owned ingredient manufacturer in Glenbervie is looking for a Product Designer for Sauces. This role involves developing innovative sauce products, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Food Science or related fields, along with a passion for food product development and strong analytical skills. Join us and be part of transforming culinary ideas into reality!

Benefits

Generous annual leave (32 days)

Profit-Related Pay

Pension contribution benefits

Health and wellness programs

Lifelong learning opportunities

Enhanced family leave benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in food product development, particularly in sauces.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations.
• Attention to detail in product formulation and sensory evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and formulate sauces from concept to factory launch.
• Design and execute product and process trials.
• Collaborate with teams during trials and scale-up.

Skills

Food product development

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Creative thinking

Education

Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field

Job description

Product Designer – Sauces

Join our team at Macphie. Let us introduce ourselves – Macphie, an internationally acclaimed family ingredient manufacturer, proudly situated in the picturesque and tranquil landscapes of Glenbervie in Aberdeenshire with sites in Glasgow and the Midlands too. Our expertise spans across a spectrum of delectable delights, including sauces, bakery creations, and heavenly ice cream toppings. We also cater to the evolving culinary landscape with our plant‑based and gluten‑free offerings. Trusted partners to some of the globe's leading food brands, we are dedicated to transforming ideas and creativity into tangible, delectable solutions.

About The Role

Based at our Glenbervie site and reporting to the Product Design Manager, the Product Designer for Sauces will play a key role in developing innovative and high‑quality sauce products that meet the needs of our customers. You will work closely with cross‑functional teams from concept through to production, ensuring successful product launches and ongoing improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and formulate sauces from concept through to factory launch.
• Design and execute product and process trials, analysing results to inform formulation and scale‑up decisions.
• Support the validation and verification of thermal processing (incl. UHT) and aseptic filling, including packaging integrity.
• Optimize existing sauce recipes for cost reductions and improved quality.
• Collaborate with Operations and Quality Control teams during trials and scale‑up processes.
• Prepare detailed documentation for product specifications and formulations, including process parameters and create technical reports.
• Liaise with ingredient and packaging suppliers to identify innovative materials and packaging.
• Provide technical support for customer presentations and product approvals.
• Conduct sensory and shelf‑life evaluations to monitor and improve product performance.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, labelling and regulatory standards, including HACCP, and understand the implications for customer specifications.

Requirements

About You

You should have a passion for food product development and innovation, with the ability to creatively solve problems and communicate effectively with diverse teams.

Qualifications and Skills

• A degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field such as Chemical Engineering or Biochemistry.
• Experience in food product development, particularly in sauces, is strongly preferred. This includes sweet and savoury categories, dairy and dairy alternatives, creams, and glazes.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and quality assurance practices.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, particularly in product formulation and sensory evaluation.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Creative thinker with a proactive attitude toward innovation and product enhancements.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and timelines in a fast‑paced environment.

Benefits

• Annual Leave: Recharge your batteries with a generous annual leave entitlement of 23 days, plus 9 public holidays, giving you a refreshing total of 32 days to explore, relax, and savour life outside of work.
• Profit‑Related Pay (PRP): Your dedication will not go unnoticed! Enjoy conditional PRP, aligning with our company's performance and rewarding your commitment to our shared success.
• Pension Perks: Secure your financial future with our pension enrolment, where you contribute 5%, and we match it with a 3% employer contribution.
• Health and Wellness Buffet: We care about your well‑being. Access our Employee Assistance Program, a 24/7 GP line, and indulge in our cycle‑to‑work scheme. Keep your mind and body in top shape with our Leisure Subsidy Scheme and free fruit offerings.
• Eco‑Friendly Commute: Embrace sustainable living with our electric car charging stations. Enjoy the convenience of free parking while contributing to a greener planet.
• Lifelong Learning: Cultivate your mind with our company further education scheme and unlock opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• Family First: We support your journey into parenthood with enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay.
• Exclusive Employee Benefits: Revel in exclusive benefits like an education bursary via our employee trust and Funeral Concierge provided by Everest Funeral Concierge Service, a brand‑new benefit.
• Beyond Probation: Once you have passed probation over the initial three months, you will then be able to unlock an array of group benefits, including Health cash plan via Westfield Health, permanent health insurance, and 3x death in service life assurance.

To see all of the Macphie employee benefits please click here.

Legal Requirements

Like every employer, legally, we require to check and confirm that you have the right to work in the UK. If we offer you a job and you accept, there are some checks that we need to complete before you can start with us. In addition to the above, we will also collect satisfactory employment references.