R&D Technologist

TN United Kingdom; Pontefract; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team at a leading snack company as an R&D Technologist, where you will play a pivotal role in developing innovative snack products that excite consumers. This exciting position involves collaborating with marketing and supply chain teams, conducting product trials, and ensuring compliance with quality and food safety standards. If you have a passion for food and a desire to contribute to iconic brands, this opportunity offers a vibrant work environment and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the snack industry.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus scheme

Annual Salary Review

Medicash health cash plan

Private healthcare

Digital GP service

Cancer care

Company sick pay

Holiday buy scheme

Electric Vehicle Scheme

Qualifications

• Solid foundation in technical/analytical competencies for product development.
• Foundational knowledge of food ingredients and product development processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative snack products from concept to commercialization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize product designs.

Skills

Food Science

Product Development

Analytical Skills

Consumer Insights

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science/Technology

Job description

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Pontefract (Home of Butterkist and popchips Popcorn)

Permanent Role

Join our snack-loving team! We are looking for an R&D Technologist to join our team. Fancy being part of a team developing innovative snack products for iconic brands such as Butterkist.

The Role

We’d love to hear from you if you are passionate about food with a love for snacking.

1. As an R&D Technologist, you will play a critical role working within cross-functional teams to develop innovative snack products that excite and engage our consumers.
2. With a passion for food, you will be part of an international R&D community, collaborating to deepen our technical knowledge and consumer understanding to develop consumer-preferred product designs.
3. On a local UK level, you will spend much of your time in partnership with our marketing, commercial and supply chain teams and other functions to create products from concept, through manufacture to final commercialisation into the market.
4. Working closely with marketing and line manager, you will carry out product development and prototyping at bench, taking winning designs to pilot and factory trial scale.
5. At factory scale, partnering with site operations teams to plan, prepare and execute product development trials & first production runs, ensuring final product designs meet quality, food safety & legal requirements whilst reaching cost & line efficiency targets.
6. With passion and pride, assist in defining and then creating prototype/trade samples for team and senior stakeholders, to the highest standard and complete accompanying paperwork as required.
7. Your responsibilities will also encompass continual optimisation and enhancement of our product portfolios in terms of food safety & quality & compliance, value engineering and critically, to support our People & Planet goals.
8. Support line manager to progress R&D strategy & capability workstreams including benchmarking, technical tools & templates, competitor understanding and technical knowledge build.
9. When opportunities arise, represent the R&D function when supporting customer and supplier site visits.
10. Exemplify best practice R&D behaviours and processes centered on adherence to stage gate processes, and effective writing and storing of product development activities from bench to full line trials.
11. As an R&D Technologist, you will be an integral member of the UK MU Research & Development team, with primary focus to support popcorn brands Butterkist and popchips.

Who Are we?

KP Snacks is home to many of the most iconic British snack brands, creating ‘Happy Snacking Moments’ for decades, with great snack designs to meet the ever-changing tastes and expectations of our customers and consumers. We are passionate about our products and our people, encompassing c. 2,300 colleagues across our seven factory locations and Slough HQ, where we focus our energy across key brands including Hula Hoops, McCoy’s, Pombear, KP Nuts, Butterkist, Tyrrells, popchips and several retail brands.

We are proud to be part of the Intersnack Group. With an annual turnover of more than €4 billion, the Intersnack Group has grown to become a market leader in savoury snacks, present in over 30 countries across Europe, Australia, New Zealand and beyond, employing more than 14,000 employees and 44 factories globally.

Salary: Dependent on experience

What’s in it for you? (some of the benefits you can expect)

• Competitive salary, depending on the skills and experience you can bring
• Bonus scheme
• Annual Salary Review
• Medicash health cash plan
• Private healthcare (role/grade dependent)
• Digital GP and Best Doctors (2nd Medical Opinion service)
• Cancer care
• Company sick pay (eligibility criteria exist)
• Holiday buy scheme
• Electric Vehicle Scheme
• KP4ME - online benefits, discounts, prizes, competitions and information platform with access to mental, physical and financial wellbeing information and tools

The Candidate

• Food science/Technology qualification or Bachelor's
• Solid foundation of technical/analytical competencies to develop product development skills with proficiency and accuracy
• Passion for food and flavour design, with strong interest in consumer behaviour & insights and brands
• Foundational knowledge of food ingredients/food product development processes, food safety industry best practice via work experience would be attractive - 1-3 years experience (including industrial placement) preferred.
• Comfortable in an agile, dynamic environment with multiple projects to support.
• Valid driving licence essential.
• This role will have a home site but will be expected to travel to and support other sites where necessary, primarily Pontefract, Hellaby, Ashby and Teesside.

We aim to foster a diverse family-like culture where everyone can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. The I&D program focuses on Culture, Leadership, Recruitment, and Equitable Progression. We operate an inclusive recruitment process to attract diverse talent and educate hiring managers on bias. Additionally, we run a comprehensive program addressing various diversity topics to promote an inclusive workplace. Join KP Snacks to be a part of a diverse and inclusive team that values individuality and promotes growth.

We wholeheartedly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position. We are totally committed to creating a workplace where not one person feels they do not belong. Please just let us know if there is anything we can do to make the process more accessible for you or if you have any special requirements.

Whichever method you are using to apply, please ensure that your application clearly demonstrates the relevant skills we are looking for, with clear evidence to support.