Food Innovation Technologist

Perform Recruitment; Monaghan; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Perform Recruitment, on behalf of a Co. Monaghan-based food manufacturer, seeks a Food Innovation Technologist to drive new product development from concept to shelf. This onsite, permanent role sits at the heart of a culinary innovation team.

You'll coordinate trials, manage documentation and work with Procurement, R&D, Production and Quality to deliver compelling product launches in partnership with customers.

Qualifications

• Food-related degree and/or at least 2 years of product development experience in the food industry.
• Strong communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational abilities.
• Full, clean driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Prepare finished product specifications and approve artwork.
• Lead cross-functional NPD/NPI meetings from concept to launch.
• Source ingredients and packaging with Procurement.
• Coordinate trials, sensory testing, and shelf-life validation.
• Ensure GMP and food safety standards in development kitchen.
• Document specifications and packaging requirements.
• Support product costing with the Culinary Innovation Manager.
• Assist with scale-up of formulations and manufacturing processes.

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