At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product development from concept to launch, ensuring quality and safety in cat food production.
- Company: KatKin, the UK's only fresh cat food brand dedicated to cat health.
- Benefits: 33 days holiday, birthday off, health insurance, discounts on meals, and personal development budget.
- Other info: Dynamic, ego-free environment with opportunities for rapid growth and impact.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team making a real difference in cat care with innovative products.
- Qualifications: Degree in Food Science or related field, 5 years experience in FMCG, HACCP certified.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
KatKin goes hardcore for cat health. We make the UK’s only fresh cat food: 100% human-quality meat, gently cooked, and frozen for freshness. Where the competition cuts corners, we put cat wellbeing first. No shortcuts. No secret recipes.
We’re cutting the fluff, thinking fresh and channelling hardcore love into industry-wide change. So cats live long and cat parents can love hard without compromise.
Why You’ll Love Working With Us
We’re all-in for cats, and it shows: our energy will blow you away from day one. You’ll be surrounded by knowledgeable scientists, big creative thinkers, astute business brains, and a whole team of hardcore cat parents. All on a mission to make hardcore love the new standard in cat care – with a fresh take on every product in the cat industry.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced Product Development Manager to lead product concepts into scalable, repeatable, and operationally viable manufacturing processes and own product launches into regular production. This role will be responsible for process design, scale‑up decisions, and manufacturing readiness, including defining and validating process parameters and constraints; it will also include managing direct reports.
Key ownership areas:
- Lead and manage the entire Product Development (PD) process from concept through to launch, including the management and development of a small PD team.
- Provide strategic input into product development projects at the concept definition phase and assess equipment suitability/needs.
- Own line trial scheduling and lead execution, ensuring cross‑functional set‑up and strict compliance with factory processes, food safety, and health and safety.
- Define and validate all process parameters and production settings on the main line during scale‑up to match concept samples and pilot kitchen products.
- Trial and validate new upscaled equipment to ensure it meets expectations, supports production volumes, and delivers the desired product results.
- Ensure new product formulations are correctly set up for line execution, including new ingredients, BOMs, print, and weight settings.
- Own the preparation of all trial‑related paperwork and the timely handover and documentation of validation details to the technical and operations teams.
- Summarise process parameters and pilot learnings for decision‑making, and ensure scale‑up validations are successfully completed for product launches.
- Develop or update production Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), train operators for production handover, and provide process/product expertise during initial production.
- Coordinate product launch dates across Planning, Product Strategy, and Operations, and undertake a post‑launch review for continuous process and product improvement.
Who we are looking for
You have owned or led factory scale trials in a product development environment, working cross‑functionally with Operations, Technical, Engineering and Nutrition. You have owned or led production upscales, from pilot kitchen, onto main line, into launch. Experience interpreting data to inform product or process decisions; able to communicate decision rationales clearly. Strong communicator, problem solver and analytical thinker. You can operate independently within defined project scopes, progressing tasks and reporting back on progress in a timely manner. Able to identify risks and mitigations and escalating when necessary. Comfortable delivering high quality outputs suitable for stage gate decision. A genuine passion for food and product development and excited to work in a collaborative and creative working environment.
Qualifications and experience
Food Science / Food Technology / Process Engineering Degree. HACCP and Food Safety Certificate. 5 years experience in FMCG or related industry.
What We Offer
At KatKin, we’re not just offering a job – we’re offering a chance to shape the future of cat care. Here’s what you’ll get:
- A career‑defining opportunity to scale an innovative brand, fast.
- A genuine opportunity to quickly develop and grow your scope and responsibility level.
- A small, close‑knit team with zero egos and plenty of passion.
- 33 days holiday + your birthday off (because everyone deserves cake and cat cuddles).
- Discounts on KatKin’s fresh meals – because your cat deserves the best.
- Comprehensive AXA health insurance, including optical and dental coverage.
- A yearly personal development budget to keep growing your skills.
- Company pension to keep your future secure.
Senior Process technologist employer: Katkin
At KatKin, we are dedicated to revolutionising cat care with our fresh, human-quality cat food, and we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer. Our vibrant work culture is fuelled by passionate cat parents and industry experts, offering a collaborative environment where your ideas can flourish. With generous benefits like 33 days of holiday, comprehensive health insurance, and a commitment to personal development, you'll find meaningful opportunities for growth while making a real difference in the lives of cats and their owners.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Process technologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at KatKin or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Research KatKin’s products and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission of hardcore love for cats. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable talking about your achievements and how they relate to the role. Confidence is key when you’re aiming to impress.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows you’re genuinely interested and keeps you on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Process technologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cats:When writing your application, let your love for cats shine through! We want to see that you genuinely care about cat health and wellbeing, just like we do at KatKin. Share any personal experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to making a difference in the cat food industry.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Senior Process Technologist role. Highlight your relevant experience in product development and process management, and don’t forget to mention any cross-functional collaboration you've done – it’s key for us!
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate straightforward communication, so keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make your skills and experiences stand out. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively, so show us you can do that right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at KatKin, where we’re all about fresh ideas and hardcore love for cats!
How to prepare for a job interview at Katkin
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into KatKin's mission and values. Understand their commitment to cat health and how they differentiate themselves in the market. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their hardcore love for cats and how you can contribute to their innovative approach.
✨Showcase Your Process Expertise
Prepare to talk about your previous experiences leading product development processes. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed scale trials or collaborated cross-functionally. This will demonstrate your ability to own the entire PD process from concept to launch, which is crucial for this role.
✨Be a Problem Solver
KatKin values analytical thinkers who can identify risks and propose solutions. Think of scenarios where you've faced challenges in product development and how you overcame them. This will show that you're not just a doer but also a strategic thinker who can navigate complexities.
✨Passion for Cats and Food
Let your genuine passion for food and product development shine through. Share any personal stories or experiences that connect you to the pet industry or food science. This will resonate with the team and reinforce your fit within their close-knit, passionate culture.
