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 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
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 ForWe’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 Lincoln employer: Paragon Talent
Contact Detail:
Paragon Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior NPD Technologist in Lincoln
✨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 give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to NPD and food technology. Be ready to discuss your approach to scaling products and how you handle challenges in the kitchen and factory.
✨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 Lincoln
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 possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role. Remember, clarity is key!
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 updates. Plus, it shows us you're proactive and tech-savvy, which we love!
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.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
Since this role is very hands-on, prepare to talk about your practical experiences in both the kitchen and factory settings. Highlight any specific projects where you’ve developed high-quality samples or managed trials, as this will demonstrate your ability to get stuck in and take responsibility.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This position requires a team-first mindset, so be sure to share examples of how you’ve worked collaboratively with production, technical, and commercial teams. Discuss how you’ve contributed to innovation and process improvements, as this aligns with the company’s culture of working together.
✨Express Your Curiosity and Attitude
The company values attitude and curiosity over a perfect background, so don’t hesitate to express your eagerness to learn and grow. Prepare to discuss how you stay updated on industry trends and your passion for developing new products, which will resonate well with their ethos.