Raw Materials Development Technologist

Alexander Steele; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Alexander Steele Recruitment is partnering with an established ambient food manufacturer to recruit a Senior Raw Material Development Technologist in Bedfordshire. You will drive raw material development from brief through testing, evaluation and approval, translating trial data into actionable recommendations to enhance product performance and manufacturing efficiency.

The ideal candidate will blend practical development experience with strong analytical and communication skills, and enjoy

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology or related subject, or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience in food manufacturing, technical development, R&D or raw material evaluation.
• Understanding of raw material functionality and manufacturing impact.
• Ability to design structured trials, interpret data and solve problems.
• Strong organisational skills to balance multiple projects.
• Confident communicator with suppliers and internal teams.
• Experience in pilot-scale or production environments is advantageous.
• Full driving licence and travel within UK and internationally when required.

Responsibilities

• Build productive technical relationships with suppliers and external partners.
• Manage several development projects, align priorities, timelines and commercial objectives.
• Review trial findings, identify technical risks and present practical recommendations.
• Plan and complete laboratory and pilot-scale assessments for raw materials.
• Maintain accurate project records, test results and technical reports.
• Support improvement projects for product consistency, process reliability and performance.
• Explore new applications for existing raw materials and evaluate alternatives for ambient products.
• Share technical learning across manufacturing locations within the group.
• Work safely and hygienically across laboratory, pilot plant, kitchen and factory environments.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Trial design

Material functionality

Organisational skills

Driving licence

Education

Degree in Food Science/Technology

Job description

An established food manufacturing business producing a wide range of ambient products is looking for a Senior Raw Material Development Technologist to join its R&D team in Bedfordshire.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced food technologist who enjoys practical development work, structured trials and using technical insight to improve the way raw materials perform within an ambient food manufacturing environment.

The role

You will take raw material development projects from the initial brief through to testing, evaluation and approval. Working closely with colleagues across R&D, Procurement, Quality and Operations, you will turn trial results into clear recommendations that support product performance, manufacturing efficiency and the wider sourcing strategy.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Building productive technical relationships with suppliers and external partners.
• Managing several development projects simultaneously, ensuring priorities, timelines and commercial objectives remain on track.
• Reviewing trial findings, identifying technical risks and presenting practical recommendations to relevant stakeholders.
• Planning and completing laboratory and pilot-scale assessments to establish how new or alternative raw materials perform.
• Maintaining accurate project records, test results and technical reports within the relevant development systems.
• Supporting improvement projects focused on product consistency, process reliability and operational performance.
• Exploring new applications for existing raw materials and assessing potential alternatives for ambient food products.
• Sharing technical learning and best practice with colleagues across other manufacturing locations within the wider group.
• Working safely and hygienically across laboratory, pilot plant, kitchen and factory environments.

About you

We are looking for someone who can combine practical food development experience with strong analytical and communication skills. You should be comfortable working independently while also contributing positively within cross-functional teams.

Ideally, you will have:

• A degree in Food Science, Food Technology or a related subject, or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience within food manufacturing, technical development, R&D or raw material evaluation.
• A good understanding of raw material functionality and how manufacturing processes can affect performance.
• The ability to design structured trials, interpret technical data and solve problems methodically.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to balance multiple projects without losing attention to detail.
• The confidence to communicate effectively with suppliers, internal teams and other stakeholders.
• Experience working within pilot-scale or full production environments would be advantageous.
• A full driving licence and flexibility to travel within the UK and internationally when required would be beneficial.

Why join?

This role offers the opportunity to join an established international food manufacturer where you can influence technical decisions, support future development projects and help strengthen manufacturing and sourcing performance across the wider business.

Alexander Steele Recruitment is working in partnership with this food manufacturing business on the appointment.