At a Glance
- Tasks: Support exciting food innovation projects from concept to launch in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Solina, a fast-growing international leader in food innovation.
- Benefits: Structured onboarding, hands-on training, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to grow your technical expertise.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food products that matter to people and the planet.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG or food manufacturing, with a passion for food innovation.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Primary Location: Mitcham, United Kingdom. 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. If you're ready for a new adventure in a dynamic, expanding, passionate, international company, join us!
Shape the Future of Food Innovation. Solina is a leading international partner to the food industry, delivering innovative ingredient solutions and food concepts across multiple categories. At our Zafron Foods sauce manufacturing site, we specialise in creating exciting, trend-led sauce solutions for Foodservice and Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) customers.
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.
- 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.
Apply Now: 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! We are open to talents of all backgrounds. Our recruitment process is based on competences, and we openly welcome all candidates of all types according to our DEI Commitment.
Food Innovation Technologist (NPD & Trials) 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 make a real impact on food sustainability and quality. Join us to be part of a passionate community dedicated to shaping the future of food innovation while enjoying the benefits of working for a fast-growing international company.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Innovation Technologist (NPD & Trials)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food industry, especially those working at Solina or similar companies. Attend food innovation events and workshops to meet potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for food innovation during interviews. Bring examples of your previous work, whether it's a project you led or a creative recipe you developed. Let them see your enthusiasm and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for practical assessments! Since this role involves hands-on development, be ready to showcase your skills in a kitchen setting. Brush up on your culinary techniques and be prepared to discuss your approach to product development.
✨Tip Number 4
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 their exciting journey in food innovation.
We think you need these skills to ace Food Innovation Technologist (NPD & Trials)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food innovation shine through! Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your enthusiasm for culinary creativity and how it aligns with our mission at Solina.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Development Technologist role. Highlight relevant experience in FMCG or food manufacturing, especially if you've worked with sauces or similar products. We want to see how your skills fit perfectly with what we do!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your information logically. This helps us quickly understand your qualifications and how you can contribute to our team at Zafron Foods.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Solina Group
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in food innovation, especially in sauces and dressings. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to product development and optimisation, showcasing your passion for food and creativity.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your previous roles in FMCG or food manufacturing that highlight your skills in NPD and EPD. Discuss any hands-on experience you have with factory trials or recipe scale-ups to demonstrate your practical knowledge.
✨Build Relationships
Emphasise your ability to work cross-functionally and build strong relationships. Share instances where you've collaborated with different teams or stakeholders to bring a project to life, as this is crucial in a dynamic environment like Solina.
✨Stay Organised and Proactive
Demonstrate your organisational skills by discussing how you manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively. Highlight your proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement, which aligns with Solina's values.
