At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative product development from concept to launch in a dynamic food environment.
- Company: Join Sofina Foods, a global leader in sustainable meat and seafood production.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, online perks, life insurance, and a supportive health programme.
- Why this job: Be part of a culture that values creativity, quality, and making a positive impact.
- Qualifications: HNC/HND in Food Science or 3 years relevant experience required; passion for food is essential.
- Other info: Work in a diverse team and contribute to over 500 million meals globally each year.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Drive end-to-end NPD for Sofina Europe, ensuring quality, cost, and timeline targets through cross-functional collaboration.
The Role:
- Manage with the wider business cross functional teams to implement development plans to quality, cost, and timescale, across brand/own label, for the European Pork & Seafood Divisions.
- Work closely with all the relevant functions to ensure customer and site expectations are met.
- End to end concept to launch with critical path generation and ownership required.
Your Key Responsibilities:
- To deliver the prioritised work programme across identified categories as directed by the Development Manager.
- To ensure agreed NPD project milestones are met on approved NPD projects.
- To represent the department at the specified NPD meetings.
- Ensure that new product samples and factory costs are available in a timely fashion for presentations (internal & external).
- Liaise with relevant customers when required to ensure excellent communication of process, responding to their agenda.
- Liaise with marketing/account manager, operations, packaging, finance etc. to deliver project to timescale/cost.
- Source ingredients and cost materials to support budget requirements.
- Keep abreast of food trends within the food industry, innovation to be at the forefront of thinking.
- Be able to demonstrate food knowledge to internal and external customers.
- Provide information as required for finance, packaging, technical and operations - running trials as appropriate.
- Evaluate and produce reports on competitors' products.
- Where directed may have direct report responsibility or mentor Junior member of NPD team.
The Ideal Candidate:
- HNC/HND (Food Science or technology) or minimum 3 years relevant experience.
- Ideally proven experience in the development of chilled and frozen seafood products.
- Capable of communicating and presenting effectively with internal & external customers.
- Strong communication skills both written and verbal.
- Strong numeracy and experience in costing concept products.
- Can demonstrate all or some career experience within Innovation in food, and must have a passion for food.
Why Sofina Foods?
- Competitive rates.
- Online Benefits Hub.
- Canteen.
- Life insurance.
- On-site parking.
- Company pension.
- Referral programme.
- Health & wellbeing programme.
Company Information:
Sofina Foods is more than just a food company. It’s a place where you can grow your career, learn new skills, and make a positive impact on the world. With a wide range of meat and seafood products that delight consumers worldwide, Sofina Foods is always looking for talented and passionate people to join its team of over 13,000 employees across 40 sites in Canada and Europe, including Young’s Seafood and Karro Food Group. At Sofina Foods, you will be part of a culture that values innovation, quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. You will also have the opportunity to work with diverse and delicious products that are sourced responsibly and sustainably from over 50 different protein sources from 5 continents. Sofina Foods has a 25 year history of excellence in the food industry and provides over 500 million meals for the global market every year. Our vision is to be the most successful food company in the world.
If you are looking for a rewarding and exciting career in the food sector, Sofina Foods is the place for you.
Equal Opportunities:
Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Schedule: Monday to Friday
Location: Malton, North Yorkshire
Hours of Work: Full-time
Company: Sofina Foods
Country Code: GB
AutoReqId: 4623BR
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Engineering and Information Technology
Industries: Food and Beverage Manufacturing
Senior NPD Technologist employer: Sofina Foods Europe
Contact Detail:
Sofina Foods Europe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior NPD Technologist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in food innovation, particularly in seafood and pork products. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your passion for the industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food technology sector, especially those who have experience in NPD roles. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to make connections that could lead to valuable insights or referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of past projects where you successfully managed cross-functional teams. Highlight your ability to meet quality, cost, and timeline targets, as this aligns closely with the responsibilities of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Sofina Foods' product range and recent innovations. Being able to speak knowledgeably about their offerings and how you can contribute to their goals will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior NPD Technologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in NPD, particularly in the food industry. Emphasise your skills in managing cross-functional teams and delivering projects on time and within budget.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food innovation and your understanding of the chilled and frozen seafood market. Mention specific examples of past projects where you successfully met quality and cost targets.
Highlight Key Skills: In your application, focus on your strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Provide examples of how you've effectively liaised with various departments and customers to achieve project goals.
Showcase Industry Knowledge: Demonstrate your awareness of current food trends and innovations in your application. This could include mentioning any relevant research or insights you've gathered about competitors' products or market demands.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sofina Foods Europe
✨Showcase Your NPD Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in new product development (NPD), especially in the food industry. Highlight specific projects where you successfully managed timelines, costs, and quality, as this role requires strong end-to-end NPD skills.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
Since the role involves working with various teams, be ready to provide examples of how you've effectively collaborated with different departments. Discuss how you communicated with marketing, operations, and finance to achieve project goals.
✨Stay Updated on Food Trends
Research current trends in the food industry, particularly in seafood and meat products. Being knowledgeable about innovations and consumer preferences will show your passion for the sector and your ability to contribute to the company's vision.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to food science and technology, especially regarding chilled and frozen products. Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss ingredient sourcing, costing, and product evaluation.