R&D Project Coordinator

C&D Foods & Affiliates; Mullingar; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

C&D Foods, a leading pet food manufacturer, is seeking a technical role in their R&D department, focused on production improvements and problem-solving. Candidates should possess a solid understanding of food chemistry, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to travel across Europe. This role offers the opportunity to work collaboratively with multiple teams to enhance product efficiency and quality.

Qualifications

• Good understanding of food chemistry and biology.
• Experience with Microsoft Excel and creating presentations.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Review raw materials and identify improvements.
• Work with operations for maximum processing efficiency.
• Engage with commercial teams for cost-saving initiatives.

Skills

Problem Solving

Attention to Detail

Logical Thinking

Communication

Education

Good understanding of food chemistry

Human or animal biology

Basic principles of accounting

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

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C&D Foods is one of Europe's leading own label pet food manufacturers producing a range of wet and dry pet foods. Part of The APB Food Group, C&D Foods has grown to become one of the industry's leading pet food producers. C&D Foods has 9 production facilities across 7 Countries (Ireland, the UK, France, Denmark, Austria, Spain, and The Netherlands) and 2 sales offices located in Manchester and Italy. C&D Foods' Headquarters is in Mullingar, County Westmeath.

Working alongside the Value Engineering Manager, this is a technical role, based in the R&D department. It is primarily a problem-solving role based around suggesting, testing, and implementing solutions to problems and general improvements in production / processing. A good working knowledge of all major science subjects is essential including Chemistry, Biology & Physics. An understanding of food manufacturing is highly beneficial.This role can be based from our Head Office, Mullingar or R&D center in Edgeworthstown, Longford.

Key Responsibilities:

• To review current and new raw materials, to identify improvements and alternatives. Involves working closely with the purchasing, nutrition, and quality teams.
• To review current products and engage with customers and the company's commercial team on cost saving initiatives
• To work with the operations team to ensure maximum processing efficiency where possible.
• Support other departments within the company when responding to technical queries
• Engage closely with finance & sales teams to ensure product is produced within budget
• Engage with purchasing team to support on forward buying of raw materials
• Streamlining; reduce unnecessary complications in the production process
• Cost efficiency; implement least cost practise in the production process
• Approved alternatives; identify take through the approval process alternative raw materials as insurance against supply chain upsets
• Recipe management: ongoing recipe management is required to meet updated and evolving legal and nutritional requirements.
• Trial design: ability to assess a problem and propose a solution
• Travel to sites and oversee the required tests
• Assessment of production performance, a good understanding of the mechanical processes of food production and the properties which affect these is highly beneficial
• Interpretation of results; ability to read and understand detailed reports of food chemistry is essential
• Report writing, ability to compile a report to summarise technical, physical and financial effects of a new proposal
• Presentation of results & proposals; ability to clearly present results of work done to the senior management team and engage with them on how best to implement the proposals

Personal Competencies & Qualifications:

• Good understanding of food chemistry, human or animal biology
• Understanding of basic principles of accounting; profit & loss, budgeting
• Microsoft Excel experience
• Experience in creating presentations and delivery of same
• Highly motivated, self-starter who can work from own initiative
• Logical thinker, good problem-solving abilities
• Willing to travel within Europe on a regular basis
• Understanding of production processes is an advantage
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to make decisions under pressure