Product Developer

JR United Kingdom; Birkenhead; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food company in Birkenhead is seeking an experienced food developer to transform innovative ideas into market-ready products. This role involves collaboration with chefs, suppliers, and internal teams to ensure quality and consistency. Ideal candidates will have hands-on culinary skills and a keen eye for food trends. Fast-paced environment with real deadlines and multiple projects. Join us to influence products that millions enjoy each week.

Qualifications

• Experience in food development within retail, manufacturing or FMCG.
• Culinary skills for hands-on kitchen tasks.
• Strong prioritization and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop food products from concept to market.
• Run benchmarking sessions and analyze competitor products.
• Work closely with suppliers to ensure quality and consistency.

Skills

Food development experience in retail

Culinary or food prep skills

Ability to prioritize and pivot

Sharp eye for detail

Curiosity about food trends

Job description

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You know when you buy something from a supermarket and it looks great on the box but disappoints on the plate?

Your job here is to stop that from happening.

This role is about taking food ideas from “sketch on a napkin” to “on the shelf and flying into people’s trolleys.” That means working with chefs, suppliers, buyers and technical folk to make sure the products not only taste good – but taste consistently good.

You’ll be part of a busy operation where the pace is quick. Some days you’ll be running benchmarking sessions, pulling apart competitor products and deciding what “good” should look like. Other days you’ll be in the kitchen, tweaking recipes, giving feedback, and making sure suppliers get it right. You’ll also be prepping samples for gate meetings, range reviews and showcases – basically making sure what’s in front of stakeholders is top drawer.

This is not a role for someone who dithers. You’ll need to switch gears quickly, juggle multiple projects at once, and stay calm under pressure. The deadlines aren’t suggestions – they’re real, and the pace can be relentless.

But if you thrive in an environment where new ideas are constantly flying, and you get a kick out of spotting food trends before everyone else, this will suit you.

What you’ll need:

• Food development experience in retail, manufacturing or FMCG
• Culinary or food prep skills – you’ll be hands-on in the kitchen
• The ability to prioritise, pivot and keep up when things change fast
• A sharp eye for detail, and the confidence to give suppliers clear feedback
• Curiosity about food trends and the confidence to share ideas

In return, you’ll get to shape the next wave of products millions of people will eat every week. You’ll work with talented chefs and commercial teams, in an environment that values speed, innovation and collaboration.