Senior NPD Technologist

Jelly Technical; Leek; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Core hours 8:30–17:00

Flexible working arrangements

33 days annual leave

Job summary

[Not disclosed] is seeking an autonomous Senior NPD Technologist to lead development from concept to factory launch, managing client accounts and delivering innovative concepts.

You will balance commercial relationships with hands-on technical execution in a fast-moving manufacturing environment, planning factory trials and coordinating with production, operations, and technical teams for smooth handovers.

Qualifications

• NPD experience within a food manufacturing environment.
• Proven capability independently running factory trials and scaling up new products.
• Excellent communication skills to liaise between clients, commercial teams, and operations.
• Strong commercial acumen with a structured, process-driven project management style.
• Degree level education in Food Science, Food Technology, or related discipline is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage client accounts by leading concept briefs and presenting new product iterations directly to customers.
• Drive the NPD lifecycle independently from initial idea to finished, scalable products.
• Plan and run factory trials, coordinating with production, operations, and technical teams for seamless handovers.
• Establish critical paths and collaborate cross-functionally to achieve validation documentation and product costings.
• Maintain quality compliance and process governance throughout the development pipeline.

Skills

NPD experience

Factory trials

Client liaison

Commercial acumen

Project management

Education

Degree in Food Science

Job description

A well-established food manufacturer is seeking an autonomous, driven Senior NPD Technologist to join their growing New Product Development team at their site in North Staffordshire. Taking full ownership of the development lifecycle, you will manage your own client accounts and guide innovative concepts from initial ideation through to final factory launch.

This role offers a fantastic balance of commercial relationship management and hands-on technical execution within a fast-moving manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities for this Senior NPD Technologists role:

• Manage client accounts by leading concept briefs and presenting new product iterations directly to customers.
• Drive the NPD lifecycle independently from initial idea to finished, scalable products.
• Plan and run factory trials, coordinating closely with production, operations, and technical teams to ensure seamless handovers.
• Establish critical paths and collaborate cross-functionally to achieve accurate validation documentation and product costings.
• Maintain quality compliance and process governance throughout the development pipeline.

Experience & Skills Required for this Senior NPD Technologists role:

• NPD experience within a food manufacturing environment.
• Proven capability independently running factory trials and scaling up new products.
• Excellent communication skills to seamlessly liaise between clients, commercial teams, and operations.
• Strong commercial acumen paired with a structured, process-driven project management style.
• A degree level education in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline is highly desirable.

Benefits to you as a Senior NPD Technologists role:

• Salary is negotiable depending on experience
• Core Hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
• Some flexible working arrangements are available to support work-life balance.
• Annual leave: 33 days (including Bank Holidays)