Senior NPD Process Technologist

The Cake Crew are the UK's largest independent provider of cupcakes in the UK. We are looking for an experienced Senior NPD Process Technologist to join our expanding team. This role is available due to career development within the team. The ideal candidate will have experience of factory processes, ideally in bakery, scaling up products from launch to large scale production.

You will support the NPD, Production and Commercial functions within the business to ensure the successful meeting of deadlines to get our products from the launch stage to full scale production. You will manage the transition of approved kitchen samples to full production scale up. Champion trial meetings with production to ensure clear communications. Trail data capture for successful product repeatability come launch, and support with sample requirements for customers / couriers.

Person profile

• Preferably educated to relevant degree level or qualification by experience
• Experience working within a process technologist role in the food industry essential, ideally within bakery
• Knowledge and experience of bakery ingredient functionality
• Understanding of HACCP Principles and suitably qualified (Level 3 minimum)
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Computer literate in all aspects of Microsoft Office
• Food Hygiene Qualified
• Flexible working approach to “get the job done”

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Support NPD technologist when needed in creating trial paperwork ahead for trials
• Create a trial plan with support from the account NPD technologist. Ensuring all raw materials are ordered and log guide dates upon delivery when to start trials.
• Organise with planning manager to complete trials ensuring trials are completed correctly.
• Liase with other departments such as engineering on trial support where needed.
• Conduct all factory trials with production & coordinate specific requirement & expectations with the NPD technologist. Trials to include packaging trials.
• Collect all trial data while running the trials. Record machine settings, specific mixing methods, weights, pantones, placement of decorations, bake profile, Aw/ PH, etc.
• Collect samples for shelf life and nutritionals as well as retained samples for QAS (good and bad) completion, photography, retained samples for freezing, customer sign off samples.
• Ensure that all NPD raw material adhere to factory traceability requirements.
• Once trials are completed all ‘new’ raw materials/equipment (nozzles) are removed from production and stored in an appropriate area.
• Liase with production to ensure any WIP may be disposed of after all samples have been collected.
• Complete trials reports and share information with the wider team.
• Lead and manage NPD microbiology and nutritional samples, logging and results database, following the Laboratory procedure.
• Work closely with engineering where practically possible to better understand machine capabilities and machine settings.
• Attend internal/customer meetings as required.
• Support with administration duties to aid with NPD activities & factory paperwork generation for product launches.
• Support the collection of samples for retailer’s needs. 1st production samples/shelf life/nutritional samples etc.
• Review and log/organise nutritionals and shelf life once completed and returned from the labs.
• Book couriers as required and raise PO’s where needed.
• Support team workload to “get the job done”.
• Support with adhoc project work.
• To comply with and assist with implementation of company food safety, quality, and legality policies as they relate to the role.

Skills and Experience

• Accuracy, attention to detail and numerate approach to provide data on time in the right format.
• Confident, articulate and courteous communicator over the phone, face-to-face and in writing.
• A good understanding of the functions of ingredients used within the bakery sector.
• Innovation and Creativity.
• Numeracy skills.
• Communication skills.
• Team Work skills.
• Diplomacy.
• Problem Solving.

This is a site-based role at our Bala site. Hours of work are Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm.

Salary - £40,000

Holidays - 28 days inclusive of bank holidays

Subsidised local gym membership including fitness classes, gym and pool. Paid sick and compassionate leave. Signing bonus of £200 at weeks 13 and 26. Free on-site parking. Supportive and nurturing work environment. Vertical and horizontal development opportunities. Access to E-learning platform.

To apply please forward your CV to (url removed) or visit our website (url removed) to apply or for full details.