At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in developing new products from concept to launch and support various NPD tasks.
- Company: Join a dynamic team in a leading food company focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, develop skills, and enjoy a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and networking within the food industry.
- Why this job: Make an impact in product development while learning from industry experts.
- Qualifications: Studying a food-related degree and possess excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
We have a fantastic opportunity for an NPD Student to join our New Product Development team on a 12-month fixed term contract starting in June 2027. The successful candidate will gain an understanding of working within an NPD department and support the whole function with various NPD related tasks.
An overview of the role:
- To assist with the development process from concept to launch
- To support the NPD teams ensuring that products are developed to meet with the business requirements and best suit retailer briefs
- To liaise closely with Technical Services, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Purchasing and Commercial as required for projects
- Attend internal panels, capture all key detail and circulate in a timely manner
- Co-ordinate and lead regular taste panels – reviewing the market
- Maintain up to date packaging folders for all chilled pizzas within the marketplace
- Support with customer submissions preparing samples and completing paperwork when required
- Attend factory trials, pre-trial and post-trial meetings and final factory sign off when required
- Manage completion of organoleptic assessment over life
- Create and assess cooking verification and validation when required
- Research and create a monthly trends and innovation report to send to our customers
- Organise a monthly innovation meal and generate a report with the findings
- Organise and document ‘News Flashes’ for new products in the market to send to our customers
- Maintenance of a product database, including all retailer products
Candidates should be studying a food related degree course and hold a drivers license. Excellent communication skills are key with the ability to multi-task and use initiative.
NPD Placement Student in Westhoughton employer: Stateside Foods
Stateside Foods is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values teamwork and safety in the fast-paced environment of Westhoughton. Employees benefit from ongoing training and development opportunities, ensuring personal and professional growth while contributing to meaningful improvements in warehouse operations. With a focus on employee well-being and a commitment to excellence, Stateside Foods stands out as a rewarding place to build a career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Placement Student in Westhoughton
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Don’t miss out on food science and technology conferences or local meetups! These events are prime opportunities to meet industry professionals, learn about the latest trends, and maybe even impress potential employers like Stateside Foods with your knowledge and enthusiasm.
✨Join Food Tech Communities
Dive into online communities and forums specifically for food science and technology. Platforms like Food Science & Technology Association or even LinkedIn groups can provide access to job postings and insider tips that are tailored to our field. It's a great way to get noticed by actual hiring managers!
✨Utilise University Resources
As you’re aiming for a placement, make the most of your university's career services. They often have relationships with companies looking to hire students for placements—keep an eye out for those connections and specific application windows!
✨Make Your Passion Visible
Showcase your passion for food science and technology through projects or research you’ve done, even if they're just class assignments. Create a simple portfolio or blog to put your work out there. When you apply to Stateside Foods, these can really help you stand out as not just a candidate, but someone who truly loves the field.
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Placement Student in Westhoughton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Foodie Knowledge!:For a food science technology placement, we need to see your passion for all things food-related. Use your cover letter to highlight relevant projects or coursework, like food safety or product development. Let your enthusiasm for food innovation shine through!
Get Technical with Your CV:Make sure your CV includes specific technical skills relevant to food science technology, like analytical techniques or laboratory skills. If you’ve worked with any food processing software or have hands-on experience with food quality testing, shout about it – it's what sets you apart!
Highlight Your Team Work and Communication Skills:In the food science field, teamwork is crucial! Make sure you mention any group projects or experiences you’ve had in labs or classes. Employers like Stateside Foods want to see you can communicate effectively – especially when collaborating on projects.
Tailor Your Application for the Role:Every placement is different, so we should tailor your application to Stateside Foods’s specific needs. Take some time to research their work and values; then weave that understanding into your cover letter and CV. It’ll show them you’re genuinely interested in contributing to their team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Stateside Foods
✨Show Off Your Lab Skills
In the food science and technology field, hands-on lab skills are super valuable. Be ready to discuss specific techniques you've used or experiments you've conducted during your studies. If you have any relevant lab experience from your coursework, definitely bring that up!
✨Know Your Food Safety Standards
Interviews in food science often touch on regulations and safety standards like HACCP or ISO 22000. Brush up on these as they might ask you how you've applied or would apply these in your work. Showing that you're familiar with these concepts can really set us apart from other candidates!
✨Demonstrate Your Learning Agility
With this being a placement, the interviewers are likely to focus on your willingness to learn and adapt. Be ready to talk about how you've tackled challenges in your studies and how you approach new topics. We want to give them the confidence that you’ll be eager to soak up all the knowledge you can!
✨Prepare Case Studies on Food Innovation
Having a couple of real-world examples ready about recent innovations or technologies in food science can be a game-changer in your interview. Think about trends like plant-based alternatives or food preservation techniques. This shows you’re not just book smart but also up to date with industry developments, which is crucial for us in a placement role!
