Senior Product Developer in Kirkby

At Saputo, we bring good to the table by making high-quality products, investing in our people, and supporting communities around the world. As a top 10 global dairy processor, we value contributions that matter and strive to foster an inclusive, growth-driven work environment.

We are looking for a Senior Product Developer to take responsibility for managing and leading development projects across our Butters, Spreads & Oils (BSO) portfolio of products. You will drive innovation, cost optimisation and the development of new recipes for customers. This is a senior role in which you will be expected to work independently, running multiple projects at once from initial development stages to scale up and launch. This role is based at our Kirkby site with the option to work from home up to one day per week based on business need. Candidates must be able to work onsite at our Kirkby site a minimum of 4 days per week.

Work pattern: Monday–Friday, 37 hours per week. Travel to our other UK sites is required for this role: Nuneaton, Bute Island, Davidstow, Weybridge and Hawes.

YOU’LL MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MATTER BY…

• Supporting a manufacturing facility producing up to c. 60,000T of butter and spread products and 17,000 spray oil units per annum.
• Delivering cost-effective new products and processes and providing technical support to the Saputo Business.
• Developing new ideas and concepts to feed into the innovation funnel for 3-5 years growth on Clover, Country Life, Utterly Butterly, Vitalite, Frylight, Willow & Private Label.
• Developing and promoting cost reduction opportunities and potential efficiency improvements across both products and processes.
• Using creative skill, process and product knowledge and experience to interpret abstract development briefs and turn them into practical propositions suitable for production.
• Leading multiple product development projects from concept through to launch.
• Detailed planning involving liaison with customers, suppliers, production sites and packaging to ensure facilities are available, deadlines achieved, and products meet all specification requirements.
• Communicating effectively with production personnel to carry out factory trials and understanding the pressures of regular manufacture.
• Assisting with managing and creatively overcoming any difficulties encountered during pilot, scale up or commissioning trials.
• Assisting with managing R&D budget to ensure all projects are delivered cost effectively.
• Communicating effectively with all Saputo teams, including Marketing, Purchasing, Production, Technical and Leadership Teams, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of projects.
• Gaining Purchasing, Production, Technical and Business Group commitment to new products, alternative ingredients and processes.
• Ensuring proper control of projects, within tight time schedules e.g. around new product launches, while adhering to product development process procedures, and reacting quickly to meet "customer" demands.

YOU’RE BEST SUITED FOR THE ROLE IF YOU ARE…

• Degree qualified in Food Science / Technology / Engineering or equivalent and at least 5 years experience in the food industry, ideally dairy / chilled.
• Knowledgeable of the food industry, supplier base and the properties and application of a range of ingredients, especially emulsions.
• Creative, innovative and investigative with an enquiring mind.
• Able to communicate effectively at all levels, both internally & externally.
• Able to work effectively within a team and on your own initiative.
• Organised and able to manage competing priorities, while working under pressure.
• Able to motivate and influence people to gain co-operation in the planning and conduct of the development process.
• Passionate about food and product development.
• Computer literate – Microsoft Office including Excel and finance systems.
• NB: a valid driving licence is required as travel to UK sites is a requirement of the role.

WE SUPPORT AND CARE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES BY PROVIDING YOU WITH…

• Private Health Care.
• Annual bonus scheme up to 10% (paid quarterly).
• Flexible working approach.
• Autonomous and inclusive working environment.
• Opportunities for progression within the UK and overseas.
• Enhanced employer pension contributions.
• Health cash plan - claim money back towards essential healthcare such as dental, eye care etc.
• Access to Thrive 24-hours a day - a leading and NHS clinically approved app which focuses on general wellbeing.
• Long service recognised every 5 years.
• Life assurance up to 4 x contractual pay.
• Discounted branded products.
• Free, onsite parking.
• Subsidised staff restaurant.
• 25 holidays + 8 bank holidays.
• One paid workday a year to volunteer for a local community or charitable institutions of your choice.
• Opportunity to swap traditional UK holidays for dates significant to your cultural and religious beliefs.
• My Staff Shop - access to exclusive benefits, free advice and savings - providing great discounts from thousands of the UKs largest retailers & service providers.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION AT SAPUTO: We support employment equity. Saputo strives to embed diversity and inclusion in its operations and invites candidates from all horizons to join our team. To enable you to bring your best we will ensure you are provided with any physical or non-physical adjustments to support your participation in the job application and interview process.