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- Tasks: Lead product development projects and ensure technical excellence in the food industry.
- Company: Join ASR Group, the world's largest cane sugar refiner and marketer.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for mentorship and professional development.
- Why this job: Make an impact in product innovation and sustainability in a global company.
- Qualifications: B.Sc. in relevant science field; experience in formulation science and project management.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ 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 Technologist employer: ASR Group
Contact Detail:
ASR Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Technologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect 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 your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out 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.
✨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 Technologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the NPD Technologist 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 tell us 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: We love seeing technical expertise! Be sure to include specific examples of your formulation science knowledge and any experience with sensory evaluations or manufacturing processes. This will help us understand your capabilities better.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets to us, apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at ASR Group
✨Know Your Formulation Science
Brush up on your knowledge of formulation science and manufacturing processes. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you successfully led product development or scale-up trials. This will show that you have the technical expertise they’re looking for.
✨Master Project Management Principles
Familiarise yourself with stage/gate project management methodologies. Prepare to explain how you've applied these principles in previous roles to deliver projects on time and within budget. Highlight any tools or techniques you used to manage multiple work streams effectively.
✨Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills
Be prepared to talk about your experience in managing and mentoring teams. Share specific instances where you fostered collaboration and achieved departmental objectives. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire others, which is crucial for this role.
✨Engage in Cross-Functional Collaboration
Think of examples where you worked with different departments like marketing, sales, or quality assurance. Discuss how you identified opportunities for competitive advantage through collaboration. This will highlight your ability to work well in a cross-functional team environment.