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- 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 food trends.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry by creating exciting new products.
- Qualifications: Degree in food science or relevant experience in NPD.
- 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 Lincoln employer: GBR Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
GBR Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Technologist in Lincoln
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food industry, especially those who have experience with NPD. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your previous NPD projects, especially those that align with the role. This will give you an edge and demonstrate your hands-on experience to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for interviews by rehearsing common questions related to NPD and project management. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Technologist in Lincoln
Some tips for your application 🫡
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: Don’t 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. This helps us 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 GBR Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your NPD Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends in new product development (NPD) and existing product development (EPD) within the food retail space. Familiarise yourself with the Big 4 retailers and their product lines, especially if you have experience with frozen foods or other categories like fresh produce. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and passion during the interview.
✨Master the Critical Path
Since this role requires strong skills in critical path management and stage gate processes, be prepared to discuss your experience with these methodologies. Think of specific examples where you successfully managed timelines and delivered projects on time and in full (OTIF). This will show that you can handle the demands of the position effectively.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As an NPD Technologist, you'll need to communicate with various stakeholders, including suppliers and senior executives. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Consider preparing a few anecdotes that highlight your ability to build strong relationships and represent your team professionally.
✨Prepare for Market Analysis Questions
Expect questions about how you analyse market trends and consumer behaviour. Brush up on recent market reviews and be ready to discuss how you would approach retail benchmarking exercises. Showing that you can maintain detailed category knowledge and produce insightful management reports will set you apart from other candidates.
