R&D/NPD Technologist

Pod Talent; Bolton; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Pod Talent is partnering with a global food manufacturer to appoint a Senior R&D Technologist within an established UK product development team. This senior, innovation-led role leads projects from brief to prototype through development, testing, factory scale-up and launch.

You will coach a small team of product technologists while collaborating with Marketing, Commercial, Operations and strategic suppliers to deliver practical technical solutions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of product development experience within the food manufacturing industry.
• Degree in Food Science (or Food Technology, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering).
• 2+ years of experience managing, coaching or developing a small team.
• Examples of leading technically complex projects end-to-end.
• Strong communication, influencing and presentation skills with senior stakeholders.
• Creative, pragmatic and resilient approach with multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead technically complex food development projects from the initial brief through validation, factory readiness and launch.
• Plan and deliver prototyping, product development, analytical testing and validation against clear experimental plans.
• Create and own technical project plans, including milestones, dependencies, resources, risks and cross-functional actions.
• Ensure finished products meet the required standards for quality, taste, texture and overall consumer experience.
• Manage, coach and develop product technologists, supporting performance and longer-term development.

Skills

Product development

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Stakeholder management

Presentation skills

Education

Food Science degree

Job description

Salary: up to £60,000 (DOE) + bonus and benefits

Pod Talent is excited to be partnering with an exciting global food manufacturer to appoint a Senior R&D Technologist within an established UK product development team.

This is a senior, innovation-led food R&D role responsible for taking new and improved products from the initial brief and prototype through development, testing, factory scale-up and launch. You will lead technically complex projects while protecting product quality, consumer experience and commercial viability throughout the development process.

Working closely with Marketing, Commercial, Operations and strategic suppliers, you will translate consumer and business needs into practical technical solutions. You will own project plans, coordinate cross-functional delivery, manage technical risks and coach a small team of product technologists.

Key responsibilities

• Lead technically complex food development projects from the initial brief through validation, factory readiness and launch.
• Plan and deliver prototyping, product development, analytical testing and validation against clear experimental plans.
• Create and own technical project plans, including milestones, dependencies, resources, risks and cross-functional actions.
• Ensure finished products meet the required standards for quality, taste, texture and overall consumer experience.
• Manage, coach and develop product technologists, supporting performance, capability and longer-term development.

What we’re looking for

• 5+ years of product development experience within the food manufacturing industry (non-negotiable)
• A degree in Food Science (or Food Technology, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering)
• 2+ years of experience managing, coaching or developing a small team.
• Examples of leading technically complex projects end-to-end.
• Strong communication, influencing and presentation skills + confidence working with senior stakeholders.
• A creative, pragmatic and resilient approach, with the autonomy to manage several priorities in a fast-moving environment.

Why consider this opportunity?

• Take ownership of high-profile innovation and product renovation projects
• Join a high-performing R&D team with strong cross-functional exposure
• Test your managerial skills by coaching and developing junior technologists.
• Benefit from a position with clear development opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package.
• Relevant product development experience within food manufacturing is a core requirement for this role, and we are therefore only able to consider applicants with this background.
• Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this role.