Product Development Technologist, Product Development Technologist

Pilgrim's Europe; Craigavon; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilgrim's Europe in Craigavon is seeking a Product Development Technologist to drive end-to-end development of new and existing food products. You will work with site teams, customers, chefs and cross-functional colleagues to turn briefs into launch-ready products.

You will support NPD, costings, compliance with codes of practice, allergen standards, and sustainability goals, with opportunities to travel for training, customer submissions and supplier visits.

Qualifications

• Experience in product development or food manufacturing is advantageous.
• Understanding of product costing, sourcing, packaging, or supply chain processes is beneficial.
• Strong project management and organisational skills with ability to manage multiple projects.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail.
• Experience working with cross-functional or geographically diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of customer-focused and commercially viable NPD/EPD projects.
• Transform customer briefs and innovation ideas into launches.
• Ensure products meet codes of practice, regulatory requirements, allergen standards, sustainability and welfare standards.
• Contribute to innovation sessions, customer presentations and ideation.
• Identify opportunities for product improvement, value creation, and customer satisfaction.
• Travel for training, customer submissions and supplier visits; full UK driving license is essential.
• Support project planning, critical path management, and cross-functional communication.
• Assist with artwork approval processes to ensure compliance with legal and customer requirements.
• Maintain documentation to support internal and external audit requirements.

Skills

Product development

Project management

Communication

Analytical mindset

MS Office

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Degree in Food Science/Technology

Degree in Marketing or Business

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Product Development Technologist

Location: Craigavon

About The Role

Are you passionate about food innovation and bringing exciting new products to market? We are looking for a Product Development Technologist to join our dynamic Product Development team.

In this role, you will work closely with site teams, customers, chefs, and cross-functional stakeholders to support the end-to-end development of new and existing food products, from initial concept through to successful launch. You will play a vital role in delivering customer-focused development and innovation, supporting business growth, and helping to shape the future food agenda at Pilgrim's Europe.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a passion for food, strong organisational skills, and a desire to develop a career in New Product Development (NPD).

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Innovation

• Support the delivery of customer-focused and commercially viable NPD and EPD projects.


• Assist in transforming customer briefs and innovation ideas into successful product launches.


• Ensure products meet customer codes of practice, legislative requirements, allergen standards, sustainability objectives, and welfare standards.


• Contribute to innovation sessions, customer presentations, and product ideation activities.


• Help identify opportunities for product improvement, value creation, and enhanced customer satisfaction.


• Flexibility to travel for training and business requirements such as customer submissions and supplier visits. Full UK driving license is essential.

Project Management

• Support projects through the development gate process, ensuring all information is accurately maintained within recipe management systems.


• Build recipes and products to generate accurate submissions forms and costings.


• Assist and delegate the preparation of customer product submission samples.


• Assist with project planning, critical path management, and cross-functional communication.


• Support artwork approval processes to ensure compliance with legal and customer requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Commercial, Operations, Procurement, Technical, NPI, and Customer teams to deliver projects successfully.


• Support feasibility assessments for new products, ingredients, processes, and packaging solutions.


• Participate in customer visits and presentations.


• Maintain documentation to support internal and external audit requirements.

Market & Consumer Insight

• Stay informed about food, consumer, restaurant, and market trends.


• Monitor competitor activity and emerging food innovations.


• Support the development of customer roadmaps aligned with market trends and site capabilities.


• Bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to future innovation and NPD projects.

About You

We're looking for someone who is enthusiastic about food, highly organised, and enjoys working in a collaborative environment.

Skills & Experience

• Experience within a Product Development or food manufacturing environment is advantageous but not essential.


• Understanding of product costing, ingredient sourcing, packaging, or supply chain processes would be beneficial.


• Strong project management and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects at once.


• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.


• Analytical mindset with exceptional attention to detail.


• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.


• Experience working with cross-functional or geographically diverse teams would be advantageous.

Qualifications

• Relevant food industry qualification and/or practical experience.


• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Marketing, Business, or equivalent qualification is desirable.

Why Join Pilgrim's Europe?

At Pilgrim's Europe, Our Values Drive Everything We Do

• Availability - We are open, responsive, and ready to embrace new challenges.


• Humility - We listen, collaborate, and value the views of others.


• Discipline - We consistently deliver on our commitments.


• Sincerity - We act with honesty, respect, and integrity.


• Ownership - We take responsibility and make things happen.


• Determination - We strive for excellence and continuous improvement.


• Simplicity - We focus on what matters most to achieve success.

If you're passionate about food innovation and want to be part of a business that is shaping the future of the industry, we'd love to hear from you.