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- Tasks: Lead innovative food product development from concept to launch in a collaborative team.
- Company: Respected B2B food manufacturer with a strong reputation and low staff turnover.
- Benefits: Stable long-term role, high autonomy, and clear progression to leadership.
- Why this job: Own projects end-to-end and make a real impact in the food industry.
- Qualifications: 3-5+ years in food manufacturing or NPD; attitude and curiosity valued over experience.
- Other info: Hands-on role with exposure to diverse customers and applications.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced NPD/Food Technologist with a keen interest in developing into a leadership position, responsible for the entire NPD function? If so, this role may be of interest to you!
Paragon Talent is partnering with a highly respected, niche B2B food manufacturer to appoint a Senior NPD Technologist into a genuinely rare role. This is a business with exceptionally low staff turnover, a strong reputation across the UK food manufacturing sector, and a culture built on common sense, trust, and people working together in the same direction. They operate in the sweet space, fruit preparations, confectionery and sauce systems, supplying major bakery, dairy and ice cream manufacturers with bespoke, high-quality solutions.
The role exists to strengthen and future-proof the NPD function. You’ll join a small, experienced development team and take on meaningful responsibility from day one, with clear scope to become a long-term cornerstone of the business. If you’re looking for a role where you can truly own projects end-to-end, get stuck in technically, and be valued for your contribution rather than your job title, this is that role.
What’s in It for You
- A stable, long-term opportunity in a business where people stay for years
- High autonomy and genuine ownership of NPD projects
- Hands-on development work, from kitchen to factory scale
- Exposure to a wide variety of customers and applications (bakery, dairy, ice cream, desserts)
- Clear succession and progression to leadership of the NPD team
What You’ll Be Doing
This is a broad, practical Senior NPD role covering concept, development, scale-up and launch. You’ll:
- Lead the development of fruit preparations, liquid caramels and sauce systems (including low Aw products)
- Translate kitchen concepts into scalable, repeatable factory processes
- Plan and support factory trials, capturing data and driving continuous improvement
- Own projects through the full stage-gate process, from brief to launch
- Develop high-quality kitchen samples in response to customer briefs and proactive innovation
- Work closely with production, technical and commercial teams to ensure feasibility and delivery
- Act as technical lead for selected customer projects, supporting trials and discussions
- Contribute to innovation, process improvement and best practice sharing within the team
This is a hands-on role; you’ll be as comfortable in the kitchen and factory as you are in project discussions.
What We’re Looking For
We’re far more interested in attitude, curiosity and fit than a perfect product background.
- 3–5+ years’ experience in food manufacturing or NPD
- Experience working with sauces, fruit-based systems, confectionery or similar cooked products is a clear advantage, but not essential
- Strong practical understanding of scaling products from kitchen to factory
- Comfortable managing multiple projects at once
- A collaborative, team-first mindset
- Someone who enjoys getting stuck in and taking responsibility
Senior NPD Technologist in Chesterfield employer: Paragon Talent
Contact Detail:
Paragon Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior NPD Technologist in Chesterfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend food tech events, and join relevant online groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Senior NPD Technologist role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best NPD projects, from concept to launch. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and understanding of the sweet space and fruit preparations. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in past roles and how you can contribute to their NPD function.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in the food manufacturing sector. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior NPD Technologist in Chesterfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for NPD: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for New Product Development shine through. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on and how they relate to the role. We want to see your genuine interest in food technology and innovation!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this position. Highlight relevant experience, especially in fruit preparations or sauces, and demonstrate how your skills align with what we’re looking for. A tailored application shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where appropriate and avoid jargon that might confuse us. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the Senior NPD Technologist role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important details. Plus, it shows us you’re proactive and keen to join our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Paragon Talent
✨Know Your NPD Basics
Brush up on your knowledge of new product development processes, especially in the food sector. Be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully taken products from concept to launch, and don’t forget to highlight any experience with fruit preparations or sauces.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
Since this role is very practical, be prepared to share specific examples of your hands-on work in the kitchen or factory. Talk about any trials you've led and how you captured data to drive improvements—this will show your technical prowess and commitment to quality.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
This company values a collaborative mindset, so come armed with stories that demonstrate your ability to work well with production, technical, and commercial teams. Highlight instances where you’ve contributed to team success and how you’ve supported others in achieving project goals.
✨Express Your Leadership Aspirations
Since they’re looking for someone who can grow into a leadership role, make sure to express your interest in taking on more responsibility. Share your vision for leading the NPD function and how you plan to contribute to the team’s long-term success.
