At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative bakery products like sourdough and hot cross buns in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Nicholas & Harris, a leading speciality bakery with over 180 years of heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, enhanced leave, retail discounts, and extensive learning opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth and personal development.
- Why this job: Be part of a growing organisation and make a real impact in the bakery industry.
- Qualifications: Degree in food science or relevant experience in bakery product development required.
We have an opportunity for a Senior Development Technologist to join our Development team at our Nicholas & Harris site as part of Finsbury Food Group. Nicholas & Harris has over 180 years of heritage in craft baking methods. If you’re passionate about artisanal, organic, and speciality breads — including products tailored to specific dietary or nutritional needs — our Salisbury bakery has you covered.
Finsbury Food Group is a leading speciality bakery manufacturer, continuously raising quality and efficiency standards while building long‑term relationships within the foodservice channel. We offer a wide range of bakery products and are a leading frozen supplier into the Foodservice sector.
The Senior Development Technologist will play a key role in supporting bakery innovation by developing, producing, and delivering high‑quality product samples at pace. Working within a positive, close‑knit bakery kitchen environment, you’ll collaborate with multiple internal teams and customers to bring new and improved products to life. The Senior Development Technologist will work as part of the development team to develop and innovate new products and processes, ensuring our bakery products are produced and delivered effectively to the satisfaction of our customers.
This is a fast‑paced role, where the successful candidate will have excellent organisational and communication skills. They will have worked in a similar development position innovating new products and processes in response to customer briefs to maintain and grow a creative catalogue of products for our customers. With great attention to detail, they will present new product and process facts and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively to customers internally and externally and cross function.
This role is based at our Salisbury site; however, a willingness to travel is required as the Senior Development Technologist may occasionally visit our other sites. This is a great opportunity for someone to gain experience with one of the UK’s largest bakery businesses. They’ll work closely with a friendly and engaging team from both a site and group perspective, offering opportunities for growth and long‑term career development.
What you’ll actually do
- As the Senior Development Technologist, you will be responsible for the day‑to‑day development of new bakery products, with a primary focus on sourdough and hot cross buns.
- You will apply your technical knowledge and product development expertise to create innovative products that meet internal quality standards, customer specifications, and commercial objectives.
- Working closely with customers, you will translate product briefs into commercially successful launches, ensuring products meet quality, cost, and margin requirements.
- You will collaborate with cross‑functional site teams, including Production, Technical, Operations, and Commercial, to ensure products are developed efficiently and are scalable for manufacture.
- You will monitor and benchmark product quality of new and existing products and raise issues with the development manager.
- You will work on critical path plans, organise and control resources to deliver products and processes to an agreed quality and timescale.
Ideally this is you
- Degree preferred in Food science / technology or similar degree / HND equivalent or relevant experience.
- Proven experience in bakery product development, with strong knowledge and hands‑on experience of sourdough products.
- Experience with hot cross buns and other fermented bakery products is highly desirable.
- Computer literate – computer skills and knowledge of word and excel systems.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel when required.
- Basic Food Hygiene Certificate as a minimum; higher‑level food hygiene qualifications are advantageous.
What's in it for you
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival!
- Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees.
- Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families).
- Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform!
- Company shop available at sites (heavily discounted, yummy products!).
- Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral – t&cs dependent).
- Employee Recognition Awards.
- Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in‑house development course!).
- An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation.
Our vision is to be the leading specialty bakery group in the UK and we want the best people in place to achieve this. Our continued success is built entirely on the talented people who work here, so employee development is important to us because everyone is a valued member of the team, and we want every individual to have the skills and capabilities to achieve both your own personal goals and our business goals. We want good people to join our company, to help our company continue to go from strength to strength. If this sounds like you, please get in contact to learn more!
Development - Senior Development Technologist in Salisbury employer: Finsbury Food
At Lees, we pride ourselves on being one of Scotland's leading food manufacturers, dedicated to quality and continuous improvement. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing employees with extensive learning and development opportunities, as well as a supportive environment that values their contributions. With enhanced benefits like maternity and paternity leave, a robust pension scheme, and employee recognition awards, we are committed to ensuring our team members thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development - Senior Development Technologist in Salisbury
✨Join Food Science Communities
Get involved in food science forums and communities, both online and offline. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit can be goldmines for job leads and valuable insights. Plus, you’ll connect with other food enthusiasts who might even point you towards openings at companies like Finsbury Food.
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Check out exhibitions and workshops in the food science sector. Events like the International Congress on Food Technology are not just knowledge hubs, but also great networking opportunities. You never know who you might bump into – perhaps a hiring manager from Finsbury Food!
✨Show Off Your Passion for Food Tech
Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like Finsbury Food, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
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If you're fresh out of uni, make use of your career services! They often have exclusive job boards and connections with companies looking for graduates. Don't forget to mention your interest in roles like those at Finsbury Food, and they might have insider tips or referrals just for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Development - Senior Development Technologist in Salisbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Finsbury Food, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at Finsbury Food.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Finsbury Food. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Finsbury Food. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Finsbury Food
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Finsbury Food’s mission.
