Senior NPD Technologist, Lichfield, Staffordshire

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior NPD Technologist to join our team at Florette in Lichfield, WS13 8NF. This role will lead the Product Development of new and modified products for the Florette brand and support own label, retail & catering projects for all major supermarkets as well as household name retailers. This role is perfect for an experienced NPD Technologist to move into a varied, end-to-end, and quality-focused NPD role.

The Senior NPD Technologist, reporting into the Head of Florette NPD, will be instrumental in leading NPD projects for both the Florette brand and own-label products from our Lichfield Head Office and factory. This role will manage NPD activities for new and improved products from research to post-launch reviews. The successful candidate will have notable work experience in the development of chilled and/or short shelf life food products, and have proven experience in shelf life analysis, product sampling, factory trials, product costings, and more. We are looking for someone that is assertive with leadership qualities, and who has experience with presenting and working with customers directly in an NPD environment.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 08:30am - 17:00pm

Pay: £Competitive, with annual bonus

Main Responsibilities:

• Manage product development projects with responsibility for trials, shelf life, samples, and industrial validations for all Florette projects.
• Play a leading role in new product development projects, developing products from concept to launch.
• Manage the Florette brand as well as the new product developments for our own label products, following briefs from the Marketing Department.
• Work closely with customers around ideation projects, with regular presentations in order to increase the level of product and leaf knowledge available to retail customers.
• Liaise with all factory departments for the development of projects.
• Monitor products after launching following the post-launch review procedure.
• Able to step-up when required to lead the NPD team in manager's absence.

Skills and Experience Required:

• Ideally educated to degree level in a Food Science/Technology or related discipline.
• Proven work experience of working within an NPD department with strong experience of the development of Chilled/Short shelf life products, Shelf life analysis, Product Sampling, Factory Trials, Product Costings.
• Experience and ability to present to customers confidently and knowledgeably.
• Proven work experience in researching and developing food products from concept to launch, desirably in an FMCG and/or fresh produce environment.
• A quick learner that is eager to develop into a subject matter expert in existing and new salad products.
• Innovative with a creative flair and a passion for food.

What You Will Get In Return:

• A competitive salary with inclusion in our annual bonus scheme, and a range of employee benefits you'd expect from a market-leading business, including:
• Life Assurance: 3x your basic salary paid to your nominated beneficiary.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Providing a Remote GP service along with a 24/7 helpline for financial, legal, medical and life issues.
• Annual leave entitlement: 33 days annual leave per annum inclusive of UK Bank Holidays which increases with service, as well as an option to purchase an additional working week of holiday.
• Training and Development: Personalised induction as well as regular training and development courses and schemes.
• Benefits Platforms: Employee discount platform for multiple retailers as well as salary finance schemes for bicycles, gyms, and financial assistance.
• Other: Recognition awards, Regular Employee Engagement days, attendance incentives, an annual volunteering day, and a free staff transport service to and from site covering Lichfield, Burton on Trent, Cannock, Rugeley, and Burntwood.

About Us: Florette is one of three UK food manufacturing factories within Agrial Fresh Produce, which is an autonomous part of the larger 22,000 employee strong French co-operative group, Agrial. The business operates mainly under its recognisable Florette salad brand and we are one of the UK's leading producers in the industry. Under the well-known Florette brand, our site processes and distributes pre-packed, ready to eat, fresh salad bags and bowls to some of the UK's most well-known supermarkets and retailers, as well as your favourite restaurants and fast food vendors. In total, we sell around 600,000kg of products every week.

Next Steps: It's an exciting time to join our business as we look for new starters to join us in innovating in everything we do! We're looking for positive and driven people to join our professional team. If you have the skills and experience we are looking for, and want a fresh challenge we would love for you to join us on our journey!

Please apply directly or alternatively contact Will Kaye, Recruitment Officer for a totally confidential discussion.

Agrial Fresh Produce reserves the right to close this vacancy once we have received sufficient applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

VISA Sponsorship: Agrial Fresh Produce is not a licensed UK VISA sponsor, and therefore cannot employ anyone who does not have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Our recruitment process will ask you to provide evidence of your unlimited Right to Work in the UK.

Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd is an Equal Opportunities employer. In addition, as part of Responsible Recruitment, Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd believes in the Employer Pay Principle. No worker should pay for a job – the costs of recruitment should be borne not by the worker but by the employer.

We are committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all of our staff. That's why we've taken the Mental Health at Work Commitment and are currently delivering a programme of activities to ensure that everyone can have open and honest conversations about their wellbeing in the workplace and feel supported. We encourage applications from persons with experience of poor mental health and are committed to supporting our employees to fulfil their potential and perform at their best in work.