Senior NPD Technologist

The Collective Network; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company in the UK is seeking an experienced Senior Product Development Technologist to join their team. This role will involve driving new product development and ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Ideal candidates will have 3-5+ years of experience in food product development and a strong ability to manage projects across various departments. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative food solutions in a rapidly growing business.

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of experience in food product development, especially with added value meats.
• Strong understanding of technical requirements for food manufacturing and compliance.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects with critical deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Conduct market research to identify trends in the food sector.
• Lead the development of new products with cross-functional teams.
• Maintain accurate product specifications and documentation.

Skills

Food product development

Project management

Collaboration skills

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Job description

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An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced Senior Product Development Technologist to join a rapidly growing food manufacturing business focused on delivering high-quality, nutritious, and innovative food products to consumers across the UK. With a strong customer base and ambitions for international expansion, this role offers a chance to play a key part in shaping the future of the brand's product range.

Role Overview

This position is responsible for driving both New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD), delivering commercially viable and technically sound products. The role combines hands-on development work with strategic project leadership, managing the full product development lifecycle - from concept and trials through to launch and post-launch evaluation.
The successful candidate will lead cross-functional projects, acting as the technical point of contact for internal departments and external suppliers, and will play a central role in maintaining the brand's reputation for quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• 
  Conduct market and competitor research to identify trends and innovation opportunities within the food sector
• 
  Lead the end-to-end development of new products, collaborating with teams across Production, Procurement, Marketing, Compliance, and external partners
• 
  Develop and refine recipes to meet nutritional, commercial, and operational requirements
• 
  Organise and execute sensory evaluations, shelf-life testing, and technical assessments
• 
  Maintain accurate and up-to-date product specifications and technical documentation
• 
  Plan and manage factory trials, overseeing scale-up and implementation
• 
  Identify and evaluate new ingredients, suppliers, and processing technologies
• 
  Provide technical leadership to troubleshoot issues and drive improvements across the existing product range
• 
  Ensure all projects meet food safety, regulatory, and compliance standards

Candidate Requirements

• 
  3-5+ years of experience in food product development, ideally with exposure to added value meats, thermal processing, or similar sectors
• 
  Strong understanding of technical requirements for food manufacturing and product compliance
• 
  Proven ability to manage multiple projects and meet critical deadlines
• 
  Strong collaboration skills, with experience working across departments including Operations, Procurement, and Marketing
• 
  Detail-oriented with a strategic mindset and excellent problem-solving ability
• 
  Resilient, adaptable, and capable of working in a fast-paced, growing business environment

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-growth, purpose-driven business at the forefront of food innovation. Ideal for individuals with a passion for product development and a drive to deliver excellence across every stage of the production process.