At a Glance
- Tasks: Support new product development and bring innovative food concepts to life.
- Company: Join Solina, a fast-growing international food innovation leader.
- Benefits: Structured onboarding, hands-on training, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment where your creativity and ideas truly matter.
- Why this job: Be part of exciting projects that shape the future of food service and QSR.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG or food manufacturing, with a passion for food innovation.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At Solina, our community of close to 5,000 people share a passion for food and live our entrepreneurial culture. We design customised savoury solutions for our clients operating in the food industry, food service, butchery and nutrition markets. With sustainability at the heart of our business model, we aim to produce food that is good in every sense of the word: delicious, nourishing, affordable, sustainable and convenient.
Solina is a fast-growing business, with around 50 production sites and R&D laboratories present in more than 19 countries mainly in Europe and North America. By constantly rethinking culinary solutions, we make food matter for people and the planet.
We are now looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Development Technologist to join our growing Foodservice & QSR team at Zafron in Mitcham, Surrey. This is a hands-on development role offering exposure to customer projects, product innovation, factory trials, and commercial launches. It’s an excellent opportunity for someone with FMCG or food manufacturing experience who is passionate about food, enjoys working cross-functionally, and wants to develop their career within a fast-paced and collaborative environment.
The Role
As a Development Technologist, you will support the successful development and delivery of new and existing products across our Foodservice & QSR portfolio. Working closely with internal teams, suppliers, and customers, you’ll help bring concepts to life - from kitchen development through to production. You’ll also play an important role in maintaining a professional, organised, and customer-ready development environment at the Zafron Foods site.
Key Responsibilities
- Support New Product Development (NPD) projects from customer brief through to launch
- Assist with Existing Product Development (EPD) and product optimisation activities
- Prepare and deliver high-quality development samples for customers and internal stakeholders
- Support recipe scale-up and factory trial processes
- Assist with raw material testing, ingredient evaluations, and value engineering initiatives
- Maintain accurate recipe, specification, and development data
- Support customer visits, presentations, and first production runs
- Attend customer meetings alongside NPD Lead Managers where required
- Participate in daily tasting panels and ingredient reviews
- Build strong working relationships across departments and functions
- Keep up to date with market trends, new ingredients, packaging developments, and innovation opportunities through supplier engagement and industry workshops
What we’re looking for
You’ll thrive in this role if you are:
- Curious, creative, and solutions-focused
- Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced environment
- Customer-oriented with a commercial mindset
- A strong team player who builds positive relationships
- Passionate about quality and continuous improvement
Skills & experience
Essential
- Experience within FMCG, food manufacturing, or food development, ideally within sauce manufacturing or related categories
- Passion for food innovation and product development
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively
- Proactive and self-motivated approach
- Good computer literacy and data management skills
Desirable
- Experience working within sauce manufacturing or businesses producing sauces, dressings, marinades, or similar liquid food products
- Commercial kitchen or culinary experience
- Advanced Food Hygiene certification
- Full UK driving licence
Why Join Solina?
Joining Solina means becoming part of an international business where food innovation and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do. You’ll work on exciting Foodservice & QSR projects alongside passionate food professionals, helping bring new ideas from concept to launch for major customers across the industry. We offer a supportive and fast-paced environment where your ideas, creativity, and development genuinely matter — with great opportunities to grow your career within a leading food group.
Training & Development
We believe in investing in our people and supporting long-term career development. From your first day, you’ll receive structured onboarding and hands-on training across key systems, food safety standards, customer requirements, and technical processes. As part of a collaborative and experienced team, you’ll also have ongoing opportunities to develop your technical expertise, broaden your industry knowledge, and continue growing your career within Solina.
If you’re passionate about food innovation and ready to develop your career within a dynamic and growing business, we’d love to hear from you. Join Solina and help shape the future of Foodservice & QSR innovation!
Development Technologist employer: Solina Group
At Solina, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a vibrant and collaborative work culture that fosters creativity and innovation in the food industry. Located in Mitcham, our team enjoys a supportive environment with ample opportunities for professional growth, hands-on training, and involvement in exciting projects that shape the future of Foodservice and QSR. Join us to be part of a passionate community dedicated to sustainability and quality, where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Technologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food industry, especially those working at Solina or similar companies. Attend industry events or workshops to meet potential colleagues and learn about job openings before they’re advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for food innovation during interviews. Bring examples of your previous work or projects that highlight your creativity and problem-solving skills. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares about the industry.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for practical assessments! As a Development Technologist, you might be asked to demonstrate your skills in recipe development or product testing. Brush up on your culinary techniques and be ready to showcase your knowledge.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Solina and being part of our exciting journey in food innovation.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Technologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share any experiences or projects that highlight your enthusiasm for food innovation and development. We want to see how you can bring that passion to our team.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to fit the Development Technologist role. Highlight relevant experience in FMCG or food manufacturing, especially if you've worked with sauces or similar products. This helps us see how you fit into our dynamic environment.
Be Clear and Organised:Keep your application neat and structured. Use bullet points for your skills and experiences, and make sure everything is easy to read. A well-organised application shows us that you have strong organisational skills, which are key for this role!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about Solina and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Solina Group
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of food ingredients and trends in the sauce manufacturing industry. Being able to discuss recent innovations or popular flavour profiles will show your passion for food and your understanding of the market.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your previous roles in FMCG or food development that highlight your skills in product innovation and project management. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them impactful.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and creativity in product development. Think about challenges you've faced in past projects and how you overcame them, especially in a fast-paced environment like food manufacturing.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since collaboration is key at Solina, be prepared to discuss how you've built strong working relationships in previous roles. Share examples of how you’ve worked cross-functionally and contributed to team success, as this will resonate well with their culture.
