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 customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy free snacks, health perks, and fantastic career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with regular team events and strong internal communication.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of food innovation and make a real impact on products enjoyed by many.
- Qualifications: Experience in product development and a passion for quality food.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 € per year.
Join our team as a Development Chef / Senior NPD Technologist in our New Product Development Team! Due to continued business growth, we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Development Chef / NPD Technologist to join our New Product Development 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 UK Drivers 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.
I’m 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 London employer: Proper Cornish Limited
Join a vibrant and innovative team as a Development Chef / Senior NPD Technologist in Bodmin, where your creativity will directly influence the development of quality food products enjoyed by customers across the UK. Our values-led culture fosters collaboration and supports personal growth, offering numerous benefits such as free daily pastries, subsidised meals, and excellent career development opportunities, all within a friendly and dynamic environment. If you're passionate about food innovation and looking for a rewarding role in a growing business, we would love to hear from you!
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Development Chef / Senior NPD Technologist in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research their products, values, and recent news. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and showcasing your culinary skills. Bring examples of your work or even a dish to impress them – it’s all about showing your passion for food innovation!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can keep you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Development Chef / Senior NPD Technologist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food and product development shine through! Share specific examples of your culinary experiences and how they relate to the role. We want to see that you’re not just qualified, but genuinely excited about what you do.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight the skills and experiences that match the job description. We’re looking for someone who can manage multiple projects and work cross-functionally, so emphasise those abilities in your application!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application 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 on joining our friendly team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Proper Cornish Limited
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of food development processes and culinary techniques. Be ready to discuss specific recipes you've developed and how they align with market trends. This shows your passion for quality food and product excellence.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight any experiences where you’ve worked with technical, operations, or commercial teams to bring a product from concept to launch.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions that test your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced during product trials or scale-ups and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and ability to manage multiple projects.
✨Emphasise Your Passion for Food Safety
Make sure to convey your understanding of food safety standards and compliance. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure that products meet legal and internal quality standards, as this is crucial in the food industry. Showing your commitment to quality will resonate well with the interviewers.
