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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 opportunity, high autonomy, and clear progression to leadership roles.
- 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 are key.
- 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 Stevenage employer: Paragon Talent
Contact Detail:
Paragon Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior NPD Technologist in Stevenage
✨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! Create a portfolio that highlights your best NPD projects. Include photos, processes, and results to demonstrate your hands-on experience and 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 your past experiences and how they align with the role's requirements. Confidence is key!
✨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 Stevenage
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture and values!
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 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 Tech
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for food technology and innovation during the interview. Share your thoughts on current trends in the industry, particularly around fruit preparations and sauces, and how you can contribute to the company’s mission of delivering high-quality solutions.
✨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 factory trials and data capture to drive continuous improvement.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since this role requires a collaborative mindset, be ready to share examples of how you’ve worked effectively within teams. Highlight your experience in liaising with production, technical, and commercial teams to ensure project feasibility and delivery, showcasing your ability to work towards common goals.
