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- Tasks: Lead product development projects and ensure technical excellence in new products.
- Company: Join ASR Group, the world's largest cane sugar refiner with a strong brand portfolio.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while working with innovative teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in food or FMCG, strong formulation science knowledge, and project management skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for mentorship and cross-functional collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Thames Refinery, UK
Reports To: R&T Director
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
ASR Group is the world’s largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar, with an annual production capacity of more than 6 million tons of sugar. The company produces a full line of grocery, industrial, food service and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group owns and operates six sugar refineries, located in Louisiana, New York, California, Maryland, Canada and Mexico. In Europe, the company owns and operates sugar refineries in England and Portugal. ASR Group also owns and operates mills in Mexico and Belize. The company’s brand portfolio includes the leading brands Domino®, C&H®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle’s® and Sidul®.
OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Research & Technology Director, the Senior Research Scientist is responsible for leading and coordinating product development projects across Europe, with occasional involvement in global initiatives. Working within the Global Research and Technology department and European cross-functional teams, this role ensures technical excellence, compliance, and timely delivery of new and existing products.
DETAILED ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Product Development & Project Management: Lead, design, and execute technical aspects of product development, reformulation, and optimisation strategies from concept through launch and post-launch governance. Provide technical leadership in ingredient qualification, formulation development, and production of bench-top or full-scale samples aligned with customer and marketing briefs. Apply stage/gate project management principles to deliver multiple work streams on time and within budget. Develop product formulations and laboratory samples based on consumer insights, ensuring compliance with manufacturing, regulatory, and cost objectives. Design and conduct sensory evaluations and consumer testing (qualitative and quantitative), analyse data, and provide actionable recommendations. Prepare and submit ingredient specifications, formulation briefs, and finished product documentation; develop process control documents in collaboration with quality and operations teams.
- Scale-Up Trials & Manufacturing Problem Solving: Lead scale-up trials across European sites, including co-packers, by defining objectives, developing Design of Experiments plans, capturing critical data, and aligning cross-functional teams to optimise product performance. Direct full-scale production trials to validate process robustness, confirm commercialisation strategies, and ensure seamless transfer from development to manufacturing. Troubleshoot manufacturing, pilot plant, and laboratory processes using data-driven approaches and continuous improvement methodologies to resolve technical challenges.
- Team and Laboratory Management: Manage and mentor a team of one, Research Scientist, by providing guidance, setting priorities, and fostering collaboration to achieve departmental objectives. Oversee routine laboratory operations, including formulation development, analytical testing, equipment reliability, consumables management, and budget planning. Ensure a safe, GMP-compliant laboratory environment and adherence to health and safety standards. Manage qualification and tracking of real-time and accelerated shelf-life assessments for all new, optimised, or reformulated products. Deliver technical training for internal teams and customers on new products, consumer needs, and technology implementation.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Contribute to projects involving manufacturing operations, packaging innovation, regulatory, legal, quality, supply chain, and procurement. Partner with Marketing, Sales, Procurement, Finance, and Operations to identify opportunities for competitive advantage and support new product development initiatives. Lead customer engagement sessions, supporting Marketing and Sales with development briefs and product sample showcases.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Experienced in a similar role within the Food or FMCG industry.
- Strong technical expertise in formulation science and manufacturing processes, from bench-top through scale-up and full-scale production.
- Proficiency in project management methodologies, including stage/gate processes, to deliver multiple work streams on time and within budget.
- Demonstrated ability to plan, manage, and execute pilot and manufacturing trials in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice protocols, ensuring accurate sample assessments against agreed specifications.
- Extensive knowledge of Design of Experiments, sensory evaluation tools, shelf-life studies, and analytical and physical testing methodologies.
- Proven people management and leadership skills, with experience mentoring teams and fostering collaboration to achieve departmental objectives.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
- Minimum B.Sc. in Foods, Nutrition, Chemistry, Agriculture, or a related Science/Technology/Engineering field.
- Advanced degree (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) in a relevant discipline is highly desirable.
At Tate & Lyle Sugars, our goal is to be the most admired sweetener Company. Service Excellence - Be the industry's Gold Standard by a relentless focus on reliability, providing products with superior quality and excellent customer services. Efficiency and Sustainability - Eliminate inefficiency to be a sustainable, low cost producer and to generate fuel for reinvestment. Value-Add - Create strategic advantage and enhanced profitability through value-added products and services. The foundation of our values is Talent and Culture as we aim to build, retain and motivate a winning team.
NPD Supervisor employer: ASR Group
Contact Detail:
ASR Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Supervisor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their values and how they align with your skills. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine in front of the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Supervisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the NPD Supervisor role. Highlight your experience in product development and project management, especially in the food or FMCG industry. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention any relevant projects you've led or participated in.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since this role requires strong technical expertise, be sure to highlight your knowledge in formulation science, sensory evaluation, and project management methodologies. We love seeing specific examples of how you've applied these skills in past roles!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at ASR Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your formulation science and manufacturing processes. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your technical expertise, especially in product development and project management.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing a team, be prepared to share your experiences in mentoring and leading others. Think of situations where you fostered collaboration or resolved conflicts within a team, as these will highlight your people management skills.
✨Be Data-Driven
The company values data-driven approaches, so come equipped with examples of how you've used data to troubleshoot problems or improve processes. Discuss any experience you have with Design of Experiments or sensory evaluations to show your analytical capabilities.
✨Understand Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working with various departments, so be ready to talk about your experience collaborating with marketing, sales, and operations. Highlight any successful projects where you partnered with different teams to achieve a common goal.