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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 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
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 Stockport employer: Paragon Talent
Contact Detail:
Paragon Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior NPD Technologist in Stockport
✨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 practising common questions and scenarios related to NPD. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous roles and how you can contribute to their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We have loads of opportunities that might be perfect for you. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our community.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior NPD Technologist in Stockport
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 submit your application directly 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 to join our team at StudySmarter!
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 think about specific examples that showcase your experience with fruit preparations or sauces.
✨Show Your Hands-On Experience
Since this role is very practical, be prepared to talk about your hands-on experience in both the kitchen and factory settings. Share stories that highlight your ability to translate kitchen concepts into scalable processes and how you've managed trials effectively.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
This company values a collaborative mindset, so come ready to discuss how you’ve worked with cross-functional teams in the past. Think of examples where you’ve contributed to innovation or process improvements while working closely with production and technical teams.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Potential
Even if you're not in a leadership role yet, show your ambition and readiness to take on more responsibility. Talk about instances where you’ve led projects or initiatives, and express your interest in growing into a leadership position within the NPD team.
