NPD Technologist

East Coast Bakehouse; Drogheda; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

East Coast Bakehouse is recruiting an NPD Technologist to drive innovation and growth for biscuits across UK/Ireland and Europe. You will manage projects from concept through to market launch, collaborating with brand teams, contract manufacturers, and private label partners.

The role requires 2+ years in NPD/Food Tech, experience in large-scale automated production, and a proactive, detail-oriented mindset to deliver best-in-class products.

Qualifications

• 2+ years experience as an NPD Technologist/Food Technologist.
• Experience in a large-scale automated factory is preferred.
• Ambitious, driven, self-starter.
• Excellent organisational and time management with strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead NPD and Innovation projects from concept to launch with strong execution.
• Collaborate with retailers, brands across UK/Ireland and Europe on briefs.
• Research trends, new products and flavours for growth opportunities.
• Develop recipes and production documents to support launches.

Skills

NPD Technologist

Biscuit/Bakery experience

Large-scale automated factory

Project leadership

Organizational skills

Interpersonal communication

Supplier/customer management

Driving licence

Job description

Job Title – NPD Technologist - Biscuits

Passionate about biscuits? Want to join one of the fastest growing food companies in Europe?

As proud bakers, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products, or the people we hire.

We are looking for ambitious and entrepreneurial individuals who share our passion for baking better biscuits and leading the next phase of growth!

Who are we?

The Bakehouse is proud to be The Home of Irish Biscuits, and the only biscuit manufacturing of scale in Ireland. We have invested over €30.0m to build a state-of-the-art facility and the single biggest biscuit and cookie manufacturing line in Europe.

The business comprises of a mix of our new challenger Irish biscuit brand – The Bakehouse,as well as significant own label business for retailers globally and contract manufacturing for major brands globally.

ECB is a high growth vehicle, successfully scaling to become the fastest growing biscuit manufacturing business in Europe, and our brand the Bakehouse has become the fastest growing biscuit brand in Europe. The business is now exporting to over 20 markets internationally.

We are proud to have been named by The Financial Times in “The Top 1000 Fastest Growing Food Businesses of 2026”, as well as being previous winners of the Irish Exporter of the Year and a Gold Winner at The Grocer New Product and Packaging Awards in 2025…. and we’re only just getting started!

In early 2026, the business has been acquired by the leading Danish Biscuit Manufacturer, Bisca, in an exciting new chapter for the business which will bring further new investment, capability and products to the UK&I markets.

The Role

To support our growth plans, we have an exciting opportunity for an NPD Technologist to join the team.

This role will offer the opportunity to manage ECBs strategic growth initiatives across UK, Ireland and Europe.

This role will be responsible for delivering exceptional results on our Innovation and Growth Pipeline, taking the lead from concept idea to launching in market, with best in class execution.

You will play a key role working across our brand, contract manufacturing and private label projects.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• To play a lead role in achieving our growth ambitions, leading a number of high profile NPD and Innovation projects from concept to launch, with best in class execution
• To work closely with our leading retailer partners and brands across UK&I and Europe, responding to retailer and brand new product briefs
• To research trends, new products, new Flavours, opportunities in the global market and assess if suitable to our innovation plans and customer objectives
• To research & create new products in the NPD Kitchen in answer to briefs, as well as proactive prototypes for consideration
• To compile and issue relevant recipes, nutritional’s and production documents to support product launch
• Sensory Evaluation – To plan and execute sensory analysis, ensure reports and recommendations are circulated and logs are kept
• Process & Technical Support in launching kitchen samples into launched Commercial Products
• Build relationships with the full end to end team (supply chain, ops, sales, technical)
• Reporting into the Chief Commercial Officer

What we are looking for?

• 2+ Years Experience in a NPD Technologist / Food Technologist role, preferably with extensive biscuit or bakery experience
• Previous experience working in a large scale automated factory
• Ambitious, driven and a self starter
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with a strong attention to detail
• Excellent communication / interpersonal skills, and ability to lead projects
• Experience managing supplier and customer relationships
• Strong collaboration skills across a full end to end team
• Holding a full valid driving licence and have access to own vehicle is desirable