At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and launch innovative food products in a dynamic team environment.
- Company: Join a values-driven food business focused on quality and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy free snacks, subsidised meals, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive culture await you!
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of food innovation and make a real impact on customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in product development and strong culinary skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
Join our team in the New Product Development Team! We have an exciting opportunity for an Experienced Development Chef / NPD Technologist to join our team based in Bodmin. This is a hands-on, creative role at the heart of our food innovation, ideal for someone passionate about product development, quality food, and working collaboratively in a fast-paced FMCG environment.
Working closely with the NPD Manager, NPD Assistant Manager and wider cross-functional teams, you will be involved in developing and launching new products, as well as enhancing our existing range, ensuring everything we produce meets our quality, safety, and customer expectations.
Hours of work: 08:00 until 16:00
Days of work: Monday to Friday
Salary: £40,000 to £45,000 depending on qualifications and experience
Why Join Us? By joining our growing NPD team, you will play a key role in shaping products enjoyed by customers across the UK. We are a values-led business built on Quality, Friendliness, Customer Focus, Honesty, and Passion, and we are proud of our heritage and our people. We offer a supportive working environment where ideas are encouraged, development is supported, and careers can grow alongside the business.
If you’re a creative and driven Development Chef / NPD Technologist looking for your next opportunity in a growing food business, we’d love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
- Product Development: Manage new and existing product development projects from concept through to launch. Develop, refine, and trial recipes to deliver high-quality, innovative products. Ensure products align with company strategy, customer briefs, and market trends.
- Trials and Scale-Up: Plan and lead kitchen trials, factory trials, and first productions as required. Support product scale-up, ensuring smooth transition from development to production. Work closely with Operations and Technical teams to ensure manufacturability and consistency.
- Quality, Food Safety and Compliance: Ensure all products comply with food safety, legal, customer, and internal quality standards. Maintain accurate NPD documentation, specifications, and trial records. Follow the NPD Quality Assurance system and support audit activity where required.
- Collaboration and Customer Focus: Work cross-functionally with Technical, Commercial, Operations, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams. Support customer presentations, tastings, and product reviews when required. Build strong working relationships with customers and suppliers.
- Continuous Improvement: Contribute to improving NPD processes, ways of working, and product performance. Support cost control, value engineering, and margin awareness throughout development. Willingness and flexibility to travel within the UK and, where required, internationally to support customer visits, supplier meetings, product trials, and site-based project activity.
Essential Requirements
- Proven experience delivering end-to-end product development, from concept through to launch.
- Strong food development capability, including recipe formulation and hands-on culinary skills.
- Sound knowledge of food manufacturing processes, food safety standards, allergens, and HACCP principles.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Full Drivers UK Licence.
- Confidence working cross-functionally with Technical, Operations, and Commercial teams.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
- A genuine passion for food, quality, and product excellence.
Desirable Requirements
- Experience developing products within chilled, frozen, bakery, ready meals, or protein-based categories.
- Experience working within an FMCG or food manufacturing environment.
- Experience working with major UK retailers or foodservice customers.
- Practical experience of factory trials, scale-up, or pilot plant activity.
- Formal culinary or food-related qualifications, with additional food safety training.
Even Better Bits! (PROPER PERKS)
- Free pasties and pastries every day.
- Weekly free fruit.
- Subsidised staff canteen.
- Monthly colleague treats.
- Regular staff BBQs.
- Christmas celebrations and goodies.
- Free use of spa & golf facilities in St Austell.
- Birthday meal in the canteen.
- Mental Health First Aiders.
- Company-funded Health Cash Plan.
- Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 helpline).
- Death in Service plan.
- Employment anniversary cash awards.
- £500 colleague referral bonuses.
- Huge discounts on pasties, pastries, cakes, and tarts!
- Local business discounts.
- Excellent career development opportunities.
- Strong internal communication, newsletters, suggestion boxes, etc.
If you’re a team player with a positive can-do attitude and want to be part of our friendly and rapidly growing company, apply today!
Closing Date: 14 June 2026. Please note that this vacancy may close early if we receive a high number of applications, so early submission is encouraged.
NPD Development Chef / Senior NPD Technologist in Bodmin employer: Proper Cornish Limited
Join a dynamic and values-led team in Bodmin as a Development Chef / Senior NPD Technologist, where your creativity and passion for food innovation will thrive. We offer a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration and personal growth, alongside fantastic perks like free pasties, subsidised meals, and excellent career development opportunities. Be part of a company that values quality, customer focus, and employee well-being, making it an exceptional place to build a rewarding career in the food industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Development Chef / Senior NPD Technologist in Bodmin
✨Join Food Science Communities
Get involved in food science forums and communities, both online and offline. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit can be goldmines for job leads and valuable insights. Plus, you’ll connect with other food enthusiasts who might even point you towards openings at companies like Proper Cornish Limited.
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Check out exhibitions and workshops in the food science sector. Events like the International Congress on Food Technology are not just knowledge hubs, but also great networking opportunities. You never know who you might bump into – perhaps a hiring manager from Proper Cornish Limited!
✨Show Off Your Passion for Food Tech
Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like Proper Cornish Limited, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you're fresh out of uni, make use of your career services! They often have exclusive job boards and connections with companies looking for graduates. Don't forget to mention your interest in roles like those at Proper Cornish Limited, and they might have insider tips or referrals just for you!
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Development Chef / Senior NPD Technologist in Bodmin
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Proper Cornish Limited, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at Proper Cornish Limited.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Proper Cornish Limited. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Proper Cornish Limited. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Proper Cornish Limited
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Proper Cornish Limited’s mission.
