Food Innovation Technologist

Perform Recruitment; Monaghan; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Perform Recruitment is recruiting on behalf of a Co. Monaghan–based food manufacturer for a Food Innovation Technologist.

You will develop and launch new products from concept to shelf, coordinating trials, documentation and cross-functional teams to keep projects moving efficiently. Ideal candidates have a food-related degree with at least two years in product development in the food sector, strong communication, analytical and organisational skills, and a full driving licence.

Qualifications

• Food-related degree and/or 2 years' Product Development experience in the food industry.
• Excellent communicator with enthusiasm, drive and commitment to improvement.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational abilities to plan and manage workloads.

Responsibilities

• Complete finished product specifications and approve artwork in line with critical paths.
• Support NPD/NPI projects from concept to launch, including leading cross-functional meetings.
• Assist with all aspects of product development, ensuring alignment with company and customer requirements.
• Collaborate with Procurement to source new ingredients and packaging.
• Work with R&D, Production and Quality to ensure products meet customer expectations.
• Support scale-up of product formulations and manufacturing processes.
• Conduct factory trials and testing including sensory, texture, stability and transit trials.
• Coordinate samples for validation including shelf-life testing and sensory panels.
• Maintain trial materials and the development kitchen to GMP and food safety standards (FSAI, HACCP).
• Troubleshoot production issues and recommend process optimisations.
• Document and communicate product specifications, formulation changes and packaging requirements.
• Prepare and cook products for internal and customer sampling; support customer site visits.

Skills

Product Development

Communication

Analytical skills

Organisational skills

Driving licence

Education

Food-related degree

Job description

Food Innovation Technologist

Co. Monaghan | Permanent | Onsite

About Our Client

Perform Recruitment is hiring on behalf of our client, a food manufacturer based in Co. Monaghan with a strong focus on culinary innovation. They develop and launch new food products for major customers, working across a close-knit team spanning Procurement, Production, Quality, and R&D.

The Role

Reporting to the Culinary Innovation Manager, you'll support the development and launch of innovative food products from concept through to commercialisation. You'll coordinate trials, maintain accurate documentation, and work closely with cross-functional teams to keep projects moving efficiently from idea to shelf.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete finished product specifications and approve artwork in line with critical paths


• Support NPD/NPI projects from concept to launch, including leading cross-functional critical path meetings


• Assist with all aspects of product development, ensuring alignment with company and customer requirements


• Work closely with Procurement to source new ingredients and packaging


• Collaborate with R&D, Production, and Quality to ensure products meet customer expectations


• Support scale-up of product formulations and manufacturing processes


• Conduct factory trials and testing, including sensory, texture, stability, and transit trials


• Coordinate samples for validation, including shelf-life testing, sensory panels, and nutritional submissions


• Maintain trial materials and the development kitchen to GMP and food safety standards (FSAI, HACCP)


• Troubleshoot production issues and recommend process optimisations


• Document and communicate product specifications, formulation changes, and packaging requirements


• Complete customer QAS documentation and ensure compliance with customer and internal standards


• Support product costing alongside the Culinary Innovation Manager


• Prepare and cook products for internal and customer sampling, and support customer site visits and presentations


• Liaise with suppliers and Procurement to source raw materials for development and trials


• Deliver against agreed product development and innovation KPIs

What We're Looking For

• Food-related degree and/or a minimum of 2 years' Product Development experience in the food industry


• Excellent communicator with strong enthusiasm, drive, and a commitment to continuous improvement


• Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail


• Excellent organisational abilities, able to plan and manage competing workloads


• Confident representing the company from an NPD perspective, building relationships at all levels


• A genuine passion for food


• Full, clean driving licence

What's on Offer

• Permanent, onsite role in Co. Monaghan


• Hands-on, varied role at the heart of a culinary innovation team


• Real influence on product launches from concept through to the customer shelf