New Product Development Technologist

Salary: £26,000 - £30,000 DOE

Hours: 40 hours per week

Shift Pattern: Monday to Friday, typically 8am – 4pm

Contract: Permanent

Inspired Global Cuisine (IGC) are a frozen ready meal manufacturer based in Gorton, East Manchester. We are an ambitious company who have grown significantly over the last 2 years, now producing over 1 million meals a week and have plans to continue to grow. This includes a re-location to a brand new 369 thousand square foot site in Chadderton, Oldham in May 2026 where we plan to double our volume over the next few years. We believe in manufacturing excellence - delivered by our brilliant people, innovative products and continuous improvement. We achieve this by working within our core values of being accountable, creative, open and as a team. We have high standards and encourage our colleagues to be autonomous and authentic to drive our business forward. With a supportive environment, we encourage personal and professional development too. You’ll work cross-functionally and collaboratively, always strive to be the best and even have some fun along the way.

About the role:

In this role, you will support the NPD team in delivering first-to-market, best-in-class quality, inspirational meal solutions. Taking ownership of the end-to-end critical path for product development from concept through to launch. You will be working closely with customers, site teams and parent company to ensure an engaged, and aligned team committed to delivering successful launches.

Key responsibilities:

• Build, support and motivate internal team to ensure all projects remain on critical path timings.
• Manage our food range from concept stage through to handover to process ensuring all products adhere to the critical path stages.
• Responsible for benchmarking and quality of our range.
• Responsible for completing all sample submission forms and internal feasibility’s with internal stakeholders.
• Ensure projects are costed accurately and hit commercial briefs.
• Ensure accurate completion of all paperwork, administration and reports on time as agreed or required by the business.
• Deliver, operate and maintain all activities required to ensure food safety, quality, legality and integrity throughout all site production, storage and packaging operations, achieving this through your work.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Degree educated with relevant industry experience.
• Customer facing experience and understanding of role requirements.
• Numerate and literate with strong communication skills.
• Proficient IT skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Confidentiality and professionalism in all undertakings.
• Team player with ability to work autonomously.

Desired:

• Passion for food, creativity and desire to raise the bar for retail products.
• Understanding of 'value for money' principles.

Personal characteristics:

• Highly motivated, accountable self-starter with robust and tenacious attitude.
• Sense of fun and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build open, cooperative relationships.
• Approachable, flexible and methodical approach.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Determined, enthusiastic and positive attitude.
• Keen interest in food and product development.

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday, plus 8 days bank holiday and opportunity to purchase an additional week.
• Restaurant and retailer discounts.
• Healthcare cash plan.
• Enhanced maternity/paternity leave.
• Employee assistance programme – GroceryAid.
• Long service awards.
• Reward.