At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to create and launch innovative food products.
- Company: Dynamic food business with a focus on quality and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, free food perks, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Other info: Supportive environment with a strong team culture and fun perks.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of food innovation and make a real impact.
- 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 employer: Proper Cornish Limited
Join a vibrant and values-led team in Bodmin as a Development Chef / Senior NPD Technologist, where your creativity will directly influence the quality products enjoyed by customers across the UK. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive work culture that encourages innovation and personal growth, offering excellent career development opportunities alongside unique perks like free pasties, subsidised canteen meals, and access to spa facilities. If you're passionate about food and looking for a rewarding role in a fast-paced FMCG environment, this is the perfect opportunity for you.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Development Chef / Senior NPD Technologist
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to people in the food industry, especially those who work in NPD. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you get the chance, bring samples of your creations to interviews or networking events. Nothing speaks louder than tasting your passion for food innovation.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like us at StudySmarter, and express your interest in joining their NPD team. You never know what opportunities might pop up!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of food safety standards and current market trends. Being well-informed will show your commitment and help you stand out as a candidate who’s ready to hit the ground running.
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Development Chef / Senior NPD Technologist
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 CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this position. Highlight relevant experience in NPD and any hands-on culinary skills you have. We appreciate when applicants take the time to align their background with our needs!
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 value strong communication skills, so make sure your written application reflects that!
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 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, recipe formulation, and food safety standards. Be ready to discuss how you’ve applied these in past roles, especially in a fast-paced FMCG environment.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to share examples of innovative products you've developed or contributed to. Think about how you can demonstrate your passion for food and creativity during the interview, perhaps by discussing a unique recipe or product idea that aligns with the company's values.
✨Collaboration is Key
Since this role involves working cross-functionally, be prepared to talk about your experience collaborating with different teams. Highlight specific projects where you successfully worked with Technical, Operations, or Commercial teams to achieve a common goal.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions that show your interest in the company and the role. Inquire about their current product development projects or how they ensure quality and compliance in their processes. This shows you’re genuinely interested and engaged.
