At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting food product launches from concept to factory production.
- Company: Join a passionate team at a leading European food manufacturer.
- Benefits: Competitive salary and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for direct customer interaction and innovative product development.
- Why this job: Combine your culinary passion with technical expertise in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in NPI/NPD within food manufacturing and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Contract Type - 6 months, Full-time
Are you a process-driven NPD expert who thrives in fast-paced, retailer-facing environments? Do you enjoy bringing exciting, culinary-led products to life from handover through to launch? We are currently recruiting for a Senior NPI Technologist to join our team on a 6-month fixed-term contract at Bodmin site. This is an exciting opportunity to work on growing, innovative product ranges within our slow cooked and cooked bacon categories — combining culinary creativity with technical excellence.
You will be part of a passionate, driven and supportive team, playing a key role in delivering successful product launches while ensuring operational excellence on site.
The Role
- Take ownership of the process side of NPD projects — ensuring smooth transition from handover through to successful factory launch.
- Lead product launches from handover to full production.
- Ensure factory capability and operational constraints are considered during development.
- Plan, organise and run pre-submission, exploratory and factory trials.
- Manage projects through critical paths to meet retailer and internal deadlines.
- Conduct pre-production runs (Pre-pro's).
- Collect, analyse and interpret trial data to drive informed decision-making.
- Troubleshoot and resolve technical and process challenges.
- Set up and improve systems to support efficient launches.
- Work closely with Production to ensure seamless scale-up and launch execution.
- Maintain direct contact with customers where required.
- Contribute to idea generation and innovation pipelines.
- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, quality and consistency.
Depending on your experience, there is also scope to take greater ownership of retailer-facing NPD projects, including customer interaction and project management leadership.
About the Categories
You will be working across two exciting product areas:
- Slow Cooked – a fast-growing, culinary-led category with strong innovation and premium positioning.
- Cooked Bacon – a specialist, technically demanding category requiring precision, consistency and deep product knowledge.
This is a fantastic opportunity to combine food passion with technical expertise.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience in NPI/NPD within a food manufacturing environment.
- Strong process knowledge and experience running factory trials.
- Experience managing critical paths and retailer launch timelines.
- Confident analysing data and making evidence-based recommendations.
- Experience working closely with production teams in live factory environments.
- Strong organisational and project management skills.
- Comfortable communicating with internal stakeholders and customers.
- Commercial awareness and understanding of factory capability.
You will be proactive, detail-focused and comfortable taking responsibility for delivering results. You will bring energy, resilience and a practical mindset — someone who sees challenges as opportunities and works collaboratively to find solutions.
Why Join Us?
- Opportunity to work on exciting, high-growth culinary categories.
- Exposure to retailer-facing projects and direct customer interaction.
- Be part of a passionate, innovative and supportive development team.
- Competitive salary.
- Opportunity to make a real impact within a short-term contract.
- Experience working within a leading European food manufacturing business.
- Fast-paced, hands-on environment where your contribution is visible.
Ready to Bring Products to Life? If you’re an experienced NPI professional who enjoys taking ownership, working collaboratively and delivering successful product launches in a fast-moving food environment, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and join Pilgrim’s Europe to help us turn great ideas into outstanding products.
Senior NPI Technologist - FTC employer: Pilgrim's Europe
Join Pilgrim's Europe as a Senior NPI Technologist in Bodmin, where you'll thrive in a dynamic, supportive environment dedicated to culinary innovation. With opportunities for direct customer interaction and involvement in exciting product launches, you will play a crucial role in shaping high-growth categories while enjoying a competitive salary and the chance to make a tangible impact within a leading European food manufacturing business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior NPI Technologist - FTC
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out food technology fairs and local agricultural shows. These gatherings are goldmines for meeting employers like Pilgrim's Europe face-to-face. Bring your enthusiasm, and don’t be shy to ask questions about their work!
✨Join Industry-Specific Groups
Dive into social media groups and forums focused on food science and technology. Networking with professionals already in the game can help us get the inside scoop on temporary roles, including those at Pilgrim's Europe.
✨Consider Seasonal Opportunities
Since this is a temporary role, keep an eye on seasonal hiring times when food companies ramp up for production cycles. Check out companies like Pilgrim's Europe during these periods, as they often look for extra support.
✨Got Skills? Show Them Off!
If you’ve got a knack for lab work or product testing, create a mini portfolio of your projects and experiences. It's a great way to stand out when chatting with hiring managers at Pilgrim's Europe. Plus, it’s perfect for showcasing your practical skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior NPI Technologist - FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Know-How:In the food science and technology field, it’s all about the nitty-gritty details. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant coursework, labs, or projects that showcase your technical skills in food processing, safety, or product development. Don't forget to mention any specific techniques or technologies you're comfortable with – they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Project:Since this is a temporary role, make your cover letter shine by focusing on your motivation and how you can contribute to Pilgrim's Europe immediately. Highlight your adaptability and any relevant experiences that make you a perfect fit for this specific project – employers love to see that enthusiasm and readiness to dive straight in!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any food safety or quality control certifications, make sure they’re front and centre in your application. These badges of honour can give us – and Pilgrim's Europe – confidence in your skills and commitment to maintaining high standards in the lab or in production.
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills:Food science is often a team sport, so weave in examples of how you've effectively collaborated with others during your studies or previous jobs. Whether it was group projects or internships, showcasing your ability to work well with others and communicate effectively can really strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pilgrim's Europe
✨Brush Up on Food Safety Standards
In the food science and technology field, it's crucial to understand food safety regulations and standards, such as HACCP. Make sure you're ready to discuss how you've implemented these in previous projects, even if they were part of your studies. They might ask you specific questions about handling food safely, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect some hands-on assessments or scenario-based questions during your interview with Pilgrim's Europe. They might put you in a situation where you have to propose a food product or troubleshoot a food safety issue on the spot, so practice thinking on your feet and explaining your process clearly.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge of Current Trends
Temporary roles often require you to be up-to-date with the latest trends in food technology, like sustainability or novel processing methods. Be ready to share insights on how you can contribute to Pilgrim's Europe's projects or products based on your knowledge of emerging trends in the sector.
✨Highlight the Learning Experience
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly. Share examples of how you've swiftly picked up new skills or technologies in past experiences, whether in your studies or internships. Companies want to see that you can hit the ground running and make an impact, even in a short time!
