At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative food products from concept to launch.
- Company: Join a progressive food manufacturing business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of food.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of food trends and create products that excite consumers.
- Qualifications: Degree in food science or relevant experience in NPD within food retail.
- Other info: Dynamic role with European travel and excellent career growth potential.
GBR Recruitment Ltd are working exclusively in partnership with a highly progressive food manufacturing / import business, recruiting for an experienced NPD Technologist who has worked on NPD / EPD within the food retail space, working with the Big 4 retailers, bringing out new innovative food product lines.
In this key new product development & existing product development role, you will work closely with the internal teams, as well as suppliers & retail customers, to deliver innovative food products that meet demand / current trends. It would be beneficial if you were experienced within frozen food product lines, but other food lines would suffice such as fresh produce, chilled, ambient, RTC, RTE, value added etc.
As the NPD Technologist you must be strong in critical path (CCP's) & stage gate processes / project management, ensuring all products are developed in line with the current food safety regulations & in line with the food companies internal NPD procedures, delivering product offerings that are commercially viable, on-brand & delivered on time in full, to the quality of standard desired by the end using customer.
European travel is involved in this role (on average x1 time per month, approx. 2-5 days at a time), as it works closely with both the UK & European operations / commercial teams analysing the market, managing the product development process (from product concept through to launch), as well as ensuring customer interactions are managed effectively & ensuring that there is a successful product launch.
Duties:
- End-to-end development of products in response to customer or internal branded NPD & EPD briefs, driven by market trends.
- Manage control critical path (CCP) timelines to deliver projects OTIF.
- Prepare product samples & customer submission forms to a high standard for customer sampling & customer visits.
- Coordinate & assess pre-production trials, reporting on them.
- Put together improvement plans & actions required prior to new product launches (if any amendments are needed).
- Assist the Specification Technologist in managing product testing (organoleptic evaluation & nutritional analysis).
- Develop, validate & launching new food products & processes ensuring they comply with food safety regulations, legislation, quality standards & internal NPD processes.
- Carry out retail benchmarking exercises & market reviews, monitoring & highlighting any trends, maintaining detailed category knowledge, plus monitoring performance & producing management reports.
- Coordinate with suppliers on NPD opportunities, presenting the opportunities to the Technical Director.
- Assist the Specification Technologist in the completion of all online specifications for retail customers (inc. the sign off for all artwork & labelling).
- Professionally represent the NPD team in front of key customers & suppliers, ensuring strong long term business partnerships are achieved / maintained.
Attributes:
- Ideally Degree qualified in a food related subject matter (food science or other) or time served in a comparable role.
- Creative & innovative mindset with the vision to bring to the open market new innovative products & solutions, that are enticing to the public.
- Strong technical knowledge inc. food science, ingredients & consumer / market trends.
- Excellent professional communication skills, able to communicate at Director / Senior Exec levels.
- Strong with CCP's & stage gate processes.
- Online retail specification portals experience.
NPD Technologist in Boston employer: GBR Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
GBR Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land NPD Technologist in Boston
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes itβs not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that NPD Technologist role.
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. We want to see you shine, so come armed with insights about their latest innovations and how your experience aligns with their goals.
β¨Tip Number 3
Showcase your creativity! Bring examples of past projects or product launches to the table. We love seeing how youβve turned ideas into successful food products that meet market trends.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, weβre always looking for passionate individuals ready to make an impact in the food industry.
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Technologist in Boston
Some tips for your application π«‘
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description. Make sure you understand what we're looking for in an NPD Technologist and how your experience aligns with our needs.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Donβt just send a generic CV! We want to see how your skills and experiences specifically relate to the role. Highlight your work with NPD and EPD in the food retail space, especially if you've dealt with the Big 4 retailers.
Show Off Your Creativity: As an NPD Technologist, we value innovation. Use your application to showcase any creative projects or product lines you've developed. Let us see your vision for bringing new products to market!
Apply Through Our Website: When you're ready to apply, make sure to do it through our website. Itβs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures youβre considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at GBR Recruitment Limited
β¨Know Your NPD Inside Out
Make sure youβre well-versed in the latest trends in new product development (NPD) and existing product development (EPD) within the food retail space. Brush up on your knowledge of frozen food lines, fresh produce, and any other relevant categories. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that youβre the right fit for the role.
β¨Master the Critical Path
Since this role requires strong skills in critical path management, be prepared to discuss your experience with CCPs and stage gate processes. Think of specific examples where you successfully managed timelines and delivered projects on time and in full (OTIF). This will highlight your project management skills and your ability to meet deadlines.
β¨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As an NPD Technologist, youβll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders, including suppliers and senior executives. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Consider preparing a few anecdotes that showcase your ability to build strong relationships and represent your team professionally.
β¨Prepare for Market Analysis Questions
Expect questions about how you analyse market trends and conduct retail benchmarking exercises. Be ready to discuss your approach to monitoring performance and producing management reports. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and your understanding of what makes a product successful in the market.