At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative food projects from concept to launch in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Solina, a fast-growing international food innovation company.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, career progression, and a collaborative culture.
- Other info: Work with passionate food professionals across the UK and Europe.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food trends and solutions while mentoring others.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG R&D and strong project management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ 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.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced food innovator who enjoys taking ownership, working closely with customers, and leading projects from concept to launch in a fast-paced FMCG environment. You’ll play a key role in driving innovation within our Foodservice & QSR channels while also helping integrate the Zafron portfolio into the wider Solina UK business. Alongside leading development projects, you’ll also mentor and support a Development Technologist, making this a great next step for someone looking to further develop their leadership experience.
Based primarily at our Zafron sauce manufacturing site in Mitcham, Surrey, this hybrid role offers a mix of on-site collaboration, regular visits to our Elland site in Yorkshire, and flexibility to work from home.
Key ResponsibilitiesAs Senior Development Technologist, you’ll lead the development and delivery of innovative food solutions aligned with both customer and business needs. Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading New Product Development and Existing Product Development projects from brief through to successful launch
- Acting as the key R&D contact on site
- Managing project timelines and ensuring delivery to agreed deadlines
- Supporting the integration of recipes, systems, and product portfolios into the wider UK business
- Line management and development support for a Development Technologist
- Working closely with commercial, process, technical, and operational teams
- Supporting customer meetings, factory trials, and first productions
- Participating in taste panels and ingredient evaluations
- Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation
- Staying close to emerging food trends, ingredients, and packaging developments
- Supporting product development and innovation within a fast-paced sauce manufacturing environment
This is a highly collaborative role with strong visibility across the business and exposure to both internal stakeholders and external customers.
What we’re looking forYou’ll thrive in this role if you:
- Have previous R&D experience within FMCG food manufacturing
- Enjoy working in a customer-focused and commercially driven environment
- Have experience working within sauce manufacturing or with businesses producing sauces, dressings, marinades, or similar liquid food products
- Are passionate about food trends, innovation, and product development
- Are confident managing multiple projects and priorities
- Build strong relationships across teams and functions
- Have a proactive, solutions-focused mindset
- Enjoy mentoring and supporting others
- Communicate confidently with stakeholders at all levels
Essential
- Previous food-related FMCG R&D experience within a manufacturing environment
- Strong project management and organisational skills
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Computer literacy
Desirable
- Experience within Foodservice or QSR
- Experience within sauce manufacturing or businesses producing sauces, dressings, marinades, or similar products
- Commercial kitchen experience
- Previous people management or mentoring experience
- Full UK driving licence
At Solina, you’ll be part of an international and growing business where people genuinely collaborate, innovate, and support each other. We combine the agility of a fast-moving environment with the strength of a global food group, giving our teams the opportunity to make a real impact.
We offer:
- A collaborative and people-focused culture
- Exciting customer-facing innovation projects
- Opportunities for development and career progression
- Hybrid working flexibility
- The chance to work with passionate food professionals across the UK and Europe
If you’re looking for a role where you can combine creativity, technical expertise, leadership, and customer collaboration — 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.
Senior Development Technologist employer: Solina Group
At Solina, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, fostering a collaborative and innovative culture that empowers our employees to make a meaningful impact in the food industry. With a strong focus on sustainability and a commitment to professional development, our team members enjoy exciting opportunities for growth, hybrid working flexibility, and the chance to work alongside passionate food professionals across the UK and Europe. Join us in shaping the future of Foodservice & QSR innovation in a dynamic and supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Development Technologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food industry, especially those connected to Solina. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for food innovation! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your ideas and insights about current food trends. This will not only demonstrate your expertise but also your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to R&D and project management in the food sector. Think about specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your skills and how they align with Solina’s mission of sustainability and innovation.
✨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 the Solina team and contributing to exciting projects in the foodservice and QSR sectors.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior 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 personal experiences or projects that highlight your enthusiasm for culinary innovation and how it aligns with our mission at Solina.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your background fits perfectly with the Senior Development Technologist role!
Highlight Your Project Management Skills:Since this role involves managing multiple projects, be sure to showcase your project management experience. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to lead projects from concept to launch, just like we do at Solina.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Solina Group
✨Know Your Food Trends
Make sure to brush up on the latest food trends and innovations, especially in the FMCG sector. Being able to discuss current trends in sauces, dressings, and marinades will show your passion for the industry and your readiness to contribute to Solina's innovative projects.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully managed multiple projects in the past. Highlight your organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines, as these are crucial for the Senior Development Technologist role.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to share experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with others. Discuss how you’ve built strong relationships across functions and how that has led to successful outcomes.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to answer technical questions related to R&D processes and sauce manufacturing. Brush up on your knowledge of ingredient evaluations and factory trials, as well as any relevant experience you have in these areas to impress your interviewers.
