At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting food product development projects from concept to market launch.
- Company: Join a fast-growing food business with a creative and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, hybrid working, and more!
- Why this job: Make a real impact by bringing innovative food products to life.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in food product development and a degree in Food Science or related field.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 Β£ per year.
Alexander Steele Recruitment is partnering with a fast-growing food business to recruit a Product Developer for a 12-month fixed-term contract. This is a fantastic opportunity for a hands-on product development professional to work across end to end NPD, supporting the launch and evolution of innovative food products within a collaborative, creative environment.
Reporting into the NPD Manager, this role will suit someone who enjoys balancing creativity with structure and has a strong understanding of how to bring commercially viable food products to market.
On offer:
- Salary for this role is circa Β£30,000
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays with the option to benefit from more!
- Hybrid working - Up to 2 days a week WFH
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead product development projects from concept creation through to successful market launch
- Manage project timelines, milestones and internal workflows to ensure delivery against deadlines
- Develop and refine recipes, translating kitchen concepts into scalable, factory-ready formats
- Prepare product costings, nutritional data and technical documentation
- Brief and manage manufacturing partners during trials and production runs
- Support ingredient sourcing and supplier onboarding in collaboration with Operations
- Define and support Quality Assurance Standards for new and existing products
- Conduct product tastings, sample reviews and trial evaluations
- Contribute to packaging development by reviewing product information and specifications
- Use market and competitor insights to inform product decisions
- Identify potential risks and proactively implement solutions
Candidate Profile:
- Minimum 2 years of industry experience in food product development with working knowledge of structured NPD processes
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Food Science or related subjects
- Strong organisational and project management skills
- Proactive, solutions-focused mindset with strong attention to detail
- Confident communicator, able to work effectively across internal teams and external partners
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint
Product Developer (12m FTC) in Leeds employer: Alexander Steele Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Alexander Steele Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Product Developer (12m FTC) in Leeds
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend food expos, and join relevant online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Product Developer role.
β¨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your innovative ideas for food products. They want to see how you can bring fresh concepts to their team.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to NPD processes. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you managed timelines and workflows. Confidence is key!
β¨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Developer (12m FTC) in Leeds
Some tips for your application π«‘
Show Your Passion for Food Development: When writing your application, let your love for food and product development shine through. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on that highlight your creativity and problem-solving skills in bringing food products to market.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight relevant experience in NPD and any specific achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we appreciate strong organisational skills, so show us you can communicate effectively!
Apply Through Our Website: Donβt forget to submit your application through our website! Itβs the best way for us to receive your details and ensures youβre considered for the role. We canβt wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alexander Steele Recruitment
β¨Know Your NPD Process
Make sure you brush up on the structured NPD processes before your interview. Be ready to discuss how you've led product development projects in the past, from concept to market launch. This will show that you understand the full cycle and can bring valuable experience to the table.
β¨Showcase Your Creativity
Since this role requires a balance of creativity and structure, prepare examples of innovative food products you've developed. Think about how you translated kitchen concepts into scalable formats and be ready to share your thought process behind these creations.
β¨Master the Details
Attention to detail is key in this role, so come prepared with examples of how you've managed project timelines and internal workflows. Highlight any experience you have with preparing product costings and nutritional data, as this will demonstrate your ability to handle the technical aspects of product development.
β¨Communicate Confidently
As a confident communicator, you'll need to work effectively across teams and with external partners. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to prepare a few questions to ask during the interview to show your engagement and interest in collaboration.