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- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative food products from concept to launch.
- Company: Progressive food manufacturing business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Join a creative team and shape the future of food products.
- Qualifications: Degree in food science or relevant experience in NPD.
- Other info: Opportunity for European travel and strong career growth.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 50000 £ per year.
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 closely work 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 employer: GBR Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
GBR Recruitment Limited 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 industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. We want you to show off your knowledge about their latest innovations and how you can contribute to their NPD goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around critical path management and food safety regulations. We want you to sound confident and knowledgeable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. 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 with new product development and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving the Big 4 retailers. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about food innovation and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Don't forget to mention any experience with frozen food or other relevant product lines.
Showcase Your Project Management Skills: Since this role involves managing critical paths and project timelines, be sure to highlight your project management experience. Share specific examples of how you've successfully delivered projects on time and met quality standards in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and we love seeing applications come directly from our site. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at GBR Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your NPD Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of new product development (NPD) and existing product development (EPD) processes. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience, especially those that align with the food retail space and working with major retailers.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
As an NPD Technologist, creativity is key! Prepare to share innovative ideas you've brought to life in previous roles. Think about how you can demonstrate your ability to develop enticing products that meet current market trends.
✨Master the Critical Path
Familiarise yourself with critical path timelines and stage gate processes. Be prepared to explain how you've managed these in past projects, ensuring timely delivery and compliance with food safety regulations.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing technical aspects with senior executives or during customer interactions. Remember, it's all about building those long-term business partnerships!
