Innovation & Development Technologist in Leyland

Great news! We are looking for an Innovation & Development Technologist to join our Innovation & Development pizza team. Are you a bakery development specialist who has a passion for developing new products, wishes to thrive in a Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) environment and enjoys working cross-functionally with other departments such as Sales, Marketing and Production? This is the time to take your craft to the next level.

The Leyland Facility is where the Chicago Town Pizzas started over 30 years ago. We are looking for a dedicated individual to join our state-of-the-art production facility and play a key role working alongside our teams who are proudly making the Dr. Oetker and Chicago Town branded pizzas.

Role Overview

As a key member of the Innovation & Development Team, you will be responsible for ensuring all documentation and any other administrative aspects related to new product development are kept updated, as well as providing accurate new product specification information in a timely manner to ensure that new products are accurately set up in SAP and PDM.

Responsibilities

• Develop new product concepts/ existing product improvements following all aspects of the product development process from concept brief to full production specialising in the pizza crust development.
• Agree quality standards for all new/relaunched products with marketing, operations and quality ensuring they are clearly communicated to production and quality teams prior to 1st production.
• Proactively identify innovative product concepts via market trend information, food exhibitions, food safaris, ideation sessions or external suppliers.
• Be constantly aware of competitor activity and trends within the market and share outputs with the wider business of any pizza benchmarking or trend information.
• Work with the Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement and Quality teams to identify and implement bakery process and product improvements to benefit product quality and/or efficiency in line with brand guidelines.
• Proactively identify options to improve the nutritional profile of products within the frozen portfolio and constantly implement options without impacting on the taste credentials of the product.
• Ensure all documentation and administrative aspects related to new product development are kept updated, and provide accurate new product specification information in a timely manner to ensure new products are accurately set up in SAP and PDM.

Qualifications

To help shape our future you must have a thorough understanding of bakery ingredients and be skilled in formulating fermented products. You should have 2+ years' experience in the baking industry and a relevant food science or technical qualification (e.g. NVQ, diploma, or degree). You must be a confident communicator with a personable and professional manner. You will need to have the ability to interact and relate to all levels of colleagues and to build strong trusted working relationships within all departments. The ability to work within a rapidly changing environment is key, being able to maintain working to high standards whilst meeting short term time pressured goals alongside long term strategic objectives, demonstrating practical problem solving and the ability to balance multiple projects. Work outside core hours may be required due to the operating hours of the factory operations. You must be able to commute to our Leeds Head Office, travel to customer head office locations and potentially internationally.

Why Join Dr. Oetker?

Since our beginnings at Dr. Oetker, we have been breaking new ground. With pizza, cake, and desserts, as well as digital platforms and services - quality and an innovative spirit set us apart. What awaits you? It's up to you! At Dr. Oetker, you can actively shape the future - both yours and ours. We want to be part of something bigger.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays) which increases with service.
• Hybrid working pattern (minimum of 2 days a week office based).
• Free Life Assurance at 4 times basic annual salary.
• Enhanced Company Sick Pay.
• Salary sacrifice Pension scheme (3% employee contribution, 6% employer contribution).
• Private medical insurance (BUPA).
• Health care Cash Plan Scheme (BUPA).
• Annual healthy heart MOTs.
• Enhanced Family Friendly Leave.
• Free pizzas.
• Subsidised on site restaurant with hot and cold meals, a salad/deli bar, snack machines and microwaves and storage facilities for those who prefer to bring their own.
• Free tea, coffee and fresh fruit.
• Free on-site parking (number of electronic charging points available).
• Free Wi-Fi on site.
• Employee Referral Scheme £350 - once you know how great it is to work here, you'll want to bring your friends and family!
• Regular Employee Forums ensuring all employees have a voice.
• Incentivised employee suggestion scheme and recognition schemes.
• Employee loyalty scheme recognising length of service milestones at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 years and beyond!
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Free health checks.
• Free eye test vouchers.