NPD Technologist

Vickerstock; Ulster; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Vickerstock is actively seeking an NPD Technologist for their Monaghan site. You will manage critical paths, run trials, and document outcomes while collaborating with Procurement, Production, Quality, R&D, and the Culinary Innovation Team.

Responsibilities include leading cross‑functional meetings, developing products from concept to launch, and ensuring alignment with customer requirements and food safety standards.

Qualifications

• Food degree or 2 years of product development experience in the food industry.
• Excellent communicator with enthusiasm, drive and targets in a cross‑functional team.
• Strong analytical skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational abilities to plan and manage multiple workloads.
• Full clean driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Manage critical paths, trials, and documentation for new products.
• Lead cross‑functional CP meetings (minutes, actions, accountability).
• Assist product development from concept to launch, aligning with customer requirements.
• Collaborate with Procurement to source ingredients and packaging.
• Support scale‑up, factory trials, sensory, texture, and stability testing.
• Coordinate samples for validation and customer tastings.
• Ensure GMP and food safety standards (FSAI, HACCP) are adhered to.
• Document specifications, formulation changes, and packaging requirements.
• Contribute to customer site visits and supplier visits as needed.

Skills

NPD

Product Development

Food Industry

Communication

Education

Food-related degree

2 years PD experience

Tools

GMP

HACCP

Job description

Vickerstock are excited to be working in partnership with an award‑winning food company with the appointment of NPD Technologist based on their site in Monaghan. The company are passionate about quality and taste of their products, sourcing locally and continually developing allowing for growth and progression.

Reporting to the Culinary Innovation Manager, you will be responsible for managing critical paths, conducting trials, and ensuring accurate documentation, while working collaboratively with Procurement, Production, Quality, R&D, and the Culinary Innovation Team.

Your new role as NPD Technologist:

• Complete finished product specifications and approve artwork in line with critical paths to ensure successful product launches.
• Support NPD/NPI projects from concept to launch, including managing and leading cross‑functional Critical Path meetings (minutes, actions, accountability).
• Assist with all aspects of product development from initial concept through to launch, ensuring alignment with company and customer requirements.
• Collaborate closely with Procurement to identify and source new ingredients and packaging.
• Work with R&D, Production, Quality, and the Culinary Innovation Manager 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, ensuring accurate data collection and reporting.
• Coordinate and manage samples for validation (shelf-life testing, sensory panels, nutritional submissions, cooking instruction validation).
• Maintain trial materials and development kitchen to GMP and food safety standards (FSAI, HACCP).
• Troubleshoot production issues and recommend process optimisations.
• Document and communicate product specifications, formulation changes, recipes, and packaging requirements.
• Complete customer QAS and ensure all customer policies and internal standards are adhered to.
• Oversee product costing in conjunction with the Culinary Innovation Manager.
• Ensure sufficient product and materials for visits, presentations, and sampling.
• Prepare and cook products for internal and customer sampling.
• Support and participate in customer site visits, external presentations, and supplier visits as required.
• Liaise with suppliers and Procurement to source raw materials needed for development and trials.
• Deliver against agreed product development and innovation KPIs.
• Work collaboratively with a cross‑function team to achieve on‑time product launches.

Your essential ingredients:

• 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 achieving targets and continuous improvement within a cross‑functional team.
• Demonstrates strong analytical skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Possesses excellent organisational abilities, with the capacity to plan effectively and manage competing workloads.
• Confident in representing the company and its values from an NPD perspective, building and maintaining positive relationships at all levels.
• A genuine passion for food and a strong alignment with our "Foodie" value
• Full clean driving license

Get in touch:

Sound like the career move you've been after and would like to hear more, pick up the phone to Anna now on T 028 9031 3720, or send an updated CV – in Word format – via the link on the page (or email).

If this opportunity doesn't quite get the taste buds flowing but like me you are passionate about food, let's get a chat and see how I can help grow your career.

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR A FULL LIST OF OUR CURRENT VACANCIES