Senior Npd Technologist

The Sterling Choice; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sterling Choice is seeking an experienced NPD specialist to lead food development projects from concept to factory launch. You will oversee trials, coordinate first production runs and drive post-launch reviews in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.

Ideal candidates have NPD experience in food manufacturing, a track record of moving products into production, and a background in Food Science with knowledge of BRC and HACCP standards.

Qualifications

• NPD experience in food manufacturing and track record of taking products from development to production.
• Food Science degree or equivalent with understanding of BRC, HACCP and retailer/customer standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage food development projects from concept through factory launch.
• Own projects through the Stage & Gate process, coordinating trials, first production runs and post-launch reviews.
• Lead and develop a small team, close collaboration with Technical, Operations and Engineering.
• Coordinate factory trials and work with customers on development discussions.
• Balance customer requirements with feasible production in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Skills

NPD experience

Food manufacturing

HACCP knowledge

BRC standards

Retailer standards

Education

Food Science degree or equivalent

Job description

Getting a recipe right in the kitchen is one thing. Getting it right at scale, on a live production line, is where NPD gets interesting.

This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of that journey.

You’ll manage food development projects from concept through to factory launch, taking customer-approved recipes and turning them into products that can be manufactured safely, consistently and commercially.

It’s a hands‑on role. One day you could be coordinating a factory trial, the next working through a critical path, solving a technical challenge with Operations or Engineering, or sitting with a customer discussing their latest development.

You’ll own projects through the Stage & Gate process, coordinating trials, first production runs and post‑launch reviews while making sure the technical detail behind every product is robust.

That means understanding more than just the recipe.

Cooking and cooling validations, HACCP, microbiological standards, nutritional requirements, labelling, packaging and specifications all form part of getting a product successfully over the line. You’ll need to balance what the customer wants with what can actually be delivered in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

You’ll also have the opportunity to lead and develop a small team, while working closely with Technical, Operations, Engineering and the wider NPD function.

You’ll need previous NPD experience within food manufacturing and a track record of taking products from development into production. A Food Science degree or equivalent would be ideal, alongside a good understanding of BRC, HACCP and retailer/customer standards.

More importantly, you’ll be someone who enjoys being close to the factory, can juggle multiple projects and isn’t fazed when a trial doesn’t quite go to plan first time.

If you’re ready to take more ownership of the development process and want a role where you can see your work go from kitchen bench to full-scale production,