Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- 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 opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
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 Dartford employer: Paragon Talent
Contact Detail:
Paragon Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior NPD Technologist in Dartford
✨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
Showcase your skills in action! Create a portfolio of your past projects, highlighting your hands-on experience in NPD. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your ability to take ownership of projects.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to NPD and food technology. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous roles and how you can contribute to the team’s success.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior NPD Technologist in Dartford
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, sauces, or confectionery. We love seeing how your background aligns with our needs, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the 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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Paragon Talent
✨Know Your NPD Fundamentals
Brush up on your knowledge of new product development processes, especially in the food sector. Be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully led projects from concept to launch, and think about specific examples that showcase your skills in scaling products from kitchen to factory.
✨Show Your Passion for Food Innovation
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for food technology and innovation during the interview. Share your thoughts on current trends in the industry, particularly in sweet products, sauces, and fruit preparations. This will show that you’re not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in contributing to the company’s success.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions related to product development and manufacturing processes. Brush up on your knowledge of low Aw products and be prepared to discuss how you would approach challenges in developing these types of products. This will highlight your expertise and problem-solving abilities.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since this role requires working closely with various teams, be sure to highlight your collaborative mindset. Share examples of how you’ve successfully worked with production, technical, and commercial teams in the past. This will demonstrate that you’re a team player who values input from others and can drive projects forward together.
