At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and modify food products, ensuring quality and sustainability.
- Company: Join Greencore, a leading UK convenience food creator with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, holidays, pension contributions, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Receive on-the-job training and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team creating delicious food that makes everyday taste better.
- Qualifications: Experience in food product development and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Contract - Full-Time
Salary: Negotiable
Location: Northampton
Why Greencore?
Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, we're one of the UK's leading creators of convenience food, driven by a simple purpose: to make everyday taste better. As a vibrant and fast-moving business, we're proud to employ over 28,000 talented colleagues across 36 manufacturing sites and 21 distribution depots in the UK and the US. Together, we bring delicious food to life. Our products cover every meal occasion from breakfast through to dinner and dessert, with lunch and snacking in between.
Here at Northampton, we operate one of the most impressive facilities in Europe, based across a campus of 5 manufacturing units, and we have a team of around 2,000 colleagues making high quality premium products every day. We are the sole supplier of sandwiches, wraps, rolls and sushi for Marks & Spencer.
What you'll be doing
We have a 12 month FTC opportunity for a Product Developer to join our team at Northampton. As a Product Developer, your role will be to develop new, and modify existing products, in line with written briefs, customer expectations and financial targets to create products of sustainable and repeatable quality and sustainable cost.
- Develop new and existing recipes into commercially viable products, benchmarking regularly to gain awareness of the market for a competitive advantage.
- Create recipes alongside the chefs, input recipes onto the recipe management system and review the accuracy of all recipes inputted by the product technologist and chefs to ensure they meet cost, weight and nutritional requirements.
- Ensure the viability of new raw ingredients from an operational, technical and product development perspective to bring innovation and challenge to existing Greencore policies and practices.
- Complete and/or review and approve all relevant documentation (feasibility forms, customer submission forms, concept to process handovers etc.) to ensure accuracy of information shared internally and externally.
- Put all products through the feasibility process; working with the commercial, operations, technical and purchasing teams to solve any issues to ensure concepts are repeatable, sustainable and scalable.
- Compile product costing information and adapt recipes to balance food quality with achievement of commercial brief targets within customer brand standards.
- Present benchmarking, existing (EPD) and new products (NPD) at internal and customer presentations, passionately demonstrate good market and food trends awareness, to achieve product approval.
- Follow the critical path time lines as directed, escalating incomplete tasks and deficiencies in testing, to ensure that mitigating action can be taken to prevent delays in product acceptance and launch.
- Assist the process team with the scale up production trials, as required, to ensure production quality matches the kitchen quality signed off by the customer.
- Provide leadership and direct to ensure that across the team people are kept safe, engaged, focused, developed and delivery to their potential.
What we're looking for
- Proven experience in food product development.
- Analytical; comfortable with producing and reviewing costings.
- Proficient in all elements of product development from concept to launch.
- Proven track record of successfully validating products and producing high quality documentation.
- Confident in presenting to all levels within the business and directly to customers.
- Experience in people management.
If this sounds like you, join us and grow with Greencore, and be a part of driving our future success.
What you'll get in return
- Competitive salary and job-related benefits.
- Holidays.
- Competitive matched pension contributions.
- Life insurance up to 4x salary.
- Company share save scheme.
- Greencore Qualifications.
- Exclusive Greencore employee discount platform.
- Access to a full Wellbeing Centre platform.
- Enhanced parental leave and menopause policies.
Throughout your time at Greencore, you will be supported with on the job training and development opportunities to further your career.
Product Developer - Northampton employer: Greencore Group
Greencore is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where over 2,000 colleagues collaborate in one of Europe's most impressive food manufacturing facilities. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide extensive training and development opportunities, competitive salaries, and a range of benefits including enhanced parental leave and a comprehensive wellbeing platform. Join us in Northampton to be part of a team that not only values your contributions but also supports you in achieving your career aspirations while making everyday taste better.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Developer - Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Greencore on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Greencore’s products and recent news. We want to show that we’re genuinely interested in making everyday taste better.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do a mock interview with us. This will help us articulate our experience in food product development and boost our confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the Greencore team!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Developer - Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Product Developer role. Highlight your relevant experience in food product development and how it aligns with Greencore's mission to make everyday taste better.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your analytical skills and experience in producing high-quality documentation. We want to see how you’ve successfully validated products and managed projects from concept to launch.
Be Authentic:At Greencore, we celebrate differences, so let your personality shine through! Share your passion for food and innovation in your application to show us why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining Greencore!
How to prepare for a job interview at Greencore Group
✨Know Your Products
Before the interview, dive deep into Greencore's product range. Familiarise yourself with their sandwiches, wraps, and sushi offerings. Being able to discuss specific products and suggest potential improvements or new ideas will show your passion and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Product Developer, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully validated products in the past, and be ready to discuss how you approach costings and market benchmarking. This will highlight your fit for the role.
✨Prepare for Presentations
Since presenting to various stakeholders is part of the job, practice your presentation skills. Create a mock presentation on a product idea or trend in the food industry. This will not only boost your confidence but also showcase your ability to communicate effectively.
✨Understand Team Dynamics
Greencore values teamwork, so be prepared to discuss your experience in people management. Think of examples where you've led a team or collaborated with others to achieve a common goal. This will demonstrate your leadership qualities and how you can contribute to a positive work environment.