Product Developer - 12 Month FTC

Zest Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FMCG food company is seeking an experienced Product Developer for a 12-month fixed-term contract in London. The role involves collaborating with a dedicated NPD team to develop and improve innovative high-quality food products. Applicants should have at least one year of experience in food product development and a strong interest in NPD processes. The position offers hybrid working and a supportive environment to help you grow your career while contributing to exciting product initiatives.

Benefits

Hybrid and flexible working

Strong learning and development support

Collaborative team culture

Qualifications

• At least one year of experience in food product development or related FMCG environment.
• Strong interest in NPD processes.
• Proactive and detail-focused mindset.

Responsibilities

• Support NPD timelines and stage-gate processes.
• Develop and trial recipes.
• Build product costs and nutritional information.
• Brief manufacturers during trials and scale-up.
• Support ingredient sourcing and approvals.
• Maintain quality standards alongside a Product Technologist.
• Contribute to packaging content.
• Participate in regular tastings and quality reviews.

Skills

Food product development

Project coordination

NPD processes

Organisational skills

Job description

Overview

Zest are partnering with a fast-growing, values-led FMCG food business to find an experienced Product Developer for a 12-month fixed-term contract. This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly successful brand at a pivotal stage of growth, working on innovative, high-quality food products that are already widely stocked across UK retail.

If you enjoy taking products from early concept through to successful on-shelf launch and thrive in collaborative, fast-paced environments this could be a fantastic next step.

Responsibilities

The Product Developer will join a collaborative NPD team and report into a Senior NPD Manager, supporting the delivery of new products and improvements to existing ranges from early concept through to on-shelf launch. The role is hands-on and varied, combining kitchen-based development with structured project coordination, cross-functional collaboration and exposure to external manufacturing partners.

• Supporting NPD timelines and stage-gate processes
• Developing and trialling recipes
• Building product costs and nutritional information
• Briefing manufacturers during trials and scale-up
• Supporting ingredient sourcing and approvals
• Maintaining quality standards alongside a Product Technologist
• Contributing to packaging content
• Participating in regular tastings and quality reviews

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have at least one year of experience in food product development or a related FMCG, manufacturing or food science environment. They will also have a strong interest in NPD processes, good organisational skills and a proactive, detail-focused mindset. You will be comfortable working cross-functionally and be keen to learn.

Benefits

In return, this role offers the chance to develop your career within a purpose-driven, fast-paced business, with hybrid and flexible working, strong learning and development support, a collaborative team culture and an excellent range of benefits from day one.

Contact

If you are interested in finding out more please contact Danielle Bailey for a confidential conversation on 01780 483 999 or via email at [e-mail].

As you know over here at Zest we like to do things properly and always want to keep you, the candidate in the loop. Applying to this 'one of a kind' role you give Zest permission to hold your information. If you want to know more about how Zest look after your personal information please visit our privacy policy on the website http://www.zestfoodjobs.co.uk/privacy-policy/