Senior Process Technologist, Senior Process Technologist

Pilgrim's Europe; Bodmin; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilgrim’s Europe is recruiting for a Senior Process Technologist on a permanent contract at our Bodmin site. You will lead NPD/NPI initiatives, ensure smooth handover to production, and drive successful launches with operational excellence.

You will manage a small team, work closely with production and customers, oversee factory trials, analyze data, and push for process improvements to optimise quality, speed, and cost in a fast-moving food environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in NPD/NPI within a food manufacturing environment.
• People management experience.
• Strong process knowledge and experience running factory trials.
• Experience managing critical paths and retailer launch timelines.
• Confident analysing data and making evidence-based recommendations.
• Experience working with production teams in live factory environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead product launches from handover to full production.
• Ensure factory capability and operational constraints are considered during development.
• Plan, organise, and run pre‑submission, exploratory and factory trials.
• Manage projects through critical paths to meet retailer and internal deadlines.
• Conduct pre‑production runs (Pre‑pro’s).
• Collect, analyse, and interpret trial data to drive informed decision‑making.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical and process challenges.
• Set up and improve systems to support efficient launches.
• Work closely with Production to ensure seamless scale‑up and launch execution.
• Maintain direct contact with customers where required.
• Contribute to idea generation and innovation pipelines.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and consistency.
• Depending on experience, take greater ownership of retailer‑facing NPD projects, including customer interaction and project management leadership.

Skills

NPD/NPI experience

People management

Data analysis

Project management

Factory trials

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

We are recruiting for a Senior Process Technologist on a permanent contract at our Bodmin site.

You will be part of a passionate, driven, and supportive team, playing a key role in delivering successful product launches while ensuring operational excellence on site. This role has one direct report.

The Role

As Senior Process Technologist, you will take ownership of the process side of NPD projects — ensuring a smooth transition from handover through to successful factory launch.

Responsibilities

• Lead product launches from handover to full production
• Ensure factory capability and operational constraints are considered during development
• Plan, organise, and run pre‑submission, exploratory and factory trials
• Manage projects through critical paths to meet retailer and internal deadlines
• Conduct pre‑production runs (Pre‑pro’s)
• Collect, analyse, and interpret trial data to drive informed decision‑making
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical and process challenges
• Set up and improve systems to support efficient launches
• Work closely with Production to ensure seamless scale‑up and launch execution
• Maintain direct contact with customers where required
• Contribute to idea generation and innovation pipelines
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and consistency
• Depending on experience, take greater ownership of retailer‑facing NPD projects, including customer interaction and project management leadership

About the Categories

• Slow Cooked – a fast‑growing, culinary‑led category with strong innovation and premium positioning
• Cooked Bacon – a specialist, technically demanding category requiring precision, consistency, and deep product knowledge

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in NPI/NPD within a food manufacturing environment
• People management experience
• Strong process knowledge and experience running factory trials
• Experience managing critical paths and retailer launch timelines
• Confident analysing data and making evidence‑based recommendations
• Experience working closely with production teams in live factory environments
• Strong organisational and project management skills
• Comfortable communicating with internal stakeholders and customers
• Commercial awareness and understanding of factory capability
• Proactive, detail‑focused, and capable of delivering results
• Brings energy, resilience, and a practical mindset – someone who sees challenges as opportunities and works collaboratively to find solutions

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to work on exciting, high‑growth culinary categories
• Exposure to retailer‑facing projects and direct customer interaction
• Be part of a passionate, innovative, and supportive development team
• Competitive salary
• Opportunity to make a real impact within a short‑term contract
• Experience working within a leading European food manufacturing business
• Fast‑paced, hands‑on environment where your contribution is visible

Ready to bring products to life? If you’re an experienced NPI professional who enjoys taking ownership, working collaboratively, and delivering successful product launches in a fast‑moving food environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and join Pilgrim’s Europe to help us turn great ideas into outstanding products.