Senior R&D Technologist

TN United Kingdom; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic NPD lead to drive product innovation and improvement for a global customer account. This role involves working cross-functionally to link design activities to business strategies while ensuring compliance with industry standards. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in food technology, particularly in salad dressings and sauces, and demonstrate excellent problem-solving and communication skills. If you are passionate about food innovation and thrive in a collaborative environment, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Hands-on development experience in salad dressings and sauces.
• Ability to manage projects and work cross-functionally.

Responsibilities

• Lead product improvement workstreams and maintain the portfolio.
• Provide technical support and communicate effectively with customers.

Skills

Problem Solving

Teamwork

Communication Skills

Project Management

Customer-facing Skills

Education

Graduate in Food Technology/Food Science

Job description

• NPD lead for the global customer account. Working cross-functionally and with other McCormick facilities to lead product improvement workstreams & maintain / develop the portfolio.
• Link design activity to business strategy by delivering innovative products within the constraints of the brief.
• NPD lead for strategic projects supporting key initiatives such as cost optimization, regulatory changes, and processing improvements/simplification. Use sound commercial and technical awareness of our ingredients, processes, and customer requirements to deliver ‘right first time’.
• HACCP / HARA sign off // R&D audit lead.
• Some travel within EMEA to support customer requirements (potential occasional travel outside EMEA).
• Interact with 3rd parties – suppliers, specialist bodies, and the general marketplace to ensure up-to-date ingredients, technologies, and future legislation/guidelines are employed in new developments.
• Provide technical support to customers as appropriate, in person, written, and verbal communication to support the customer intimacy strategy.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Graduate or equivalent of Food Technology/Food Science or related subject.
• Relevant, hands-on bench development experience in salad dressings, condiments, and sauces relevant to our portfolio (or in a similar food environment). Previous experience in a customer-facing role and experience with QSR’s would be of use. Knowledge within coatings, seasonings, or sweet syrups would be advantageous.
• Ability to think laterally and solve complex problems. Proven ability of teamwork in a cross-functional environment. Ability to pro-actively work on own project briefs and drive the business forwards.
• Project & team management skills – prioritization, flexibility, teamwork (including cross-functionally).
• Ability to confidently assume a customer-facing role in all appropriate customer meetings, presentations, trials, and project updates.
• Articulate, confident communicator. Must be able to resolve conflict and communicate ideas and solutions in a changing environment. Effective persuasion and influencing skills. Working with enabling functions such as culinary, sensory, and M&I.
• Must be able to demonstrate sound understanding of the impact of actions on costs.
• Able to demonstrate sound understanding of the development process and how it links to the business, including on-line plant trials. Must be able to show and apply technical knowledge of a relevant field to all areas of the development process.
• Using sound commercial and technical awareness of our ingredient portfolio, processes, and customer requirements to deliver ‘right first time’.
• Maintaining company standards for administration, health & safety, GMP.
• Full clean UK driving license.