NPD Technologist in Monaghan

Vickerstock are excited to be working in partnership with an award-winning food company based on their site in Monaghan. The company is passionate about the quality and taste of their products, sourcing locally and continually developing, allowing for growth and progression.

Reporting to the Culinary Innovation Manager, you will be responsible for managing critical paths, conducting trials, and ensuring accurate documentation, while working collaboratively with Procurement, Production, Quality, R&D, and the Culinary Innovation Team.

Your new role as NPD Technologist includes:

• Completing finished product specifications and approving artwork in line with critical paths to ensure successful product launches.
• Supporting NPD/NPI projects from concept to launch, including managing and leading cross-functional Critical Path meetings (minutes, actions, accountability).
• Assisting with all aspects of product development from initial concept through to launch, ensuring alignment with company and customer requirements.
• Collaborating closely with Procurement to identify and source new ingredients and packaging.
• Working with R&D, Production, Quality, and the Culinary Innovation Manager to ensure products meet customer expectations.
• Supporting scale-up of product formulations and manufacturing processes.
• Conducting factory trials and testing, including sensory, texture, stability, and transit trials, ensuring accurate data collection and reporting.
• Coordinating and managing samples for validation (shelf-life testing, sensory panels, nutritional submissions, cooking instruction validation).
• Maintaining trial materials and development kitchen to GMP and food safety standards (FSAI, HACCP).
• Troubleshooting production issues and recommending process optimisations.
• Documenting and communicating product specifications, formulation changes, recipes, and packaging requirements.
• Completing customer QAS and ensuring all customer policies and internal standards are adhered to.
• Overseeing product costing in conjunction with the Culinary Innovation Manager.
• Ensuring sufficient product and materials for visits, presentations, and sampling.
• Preparing and cooking products for internal and customer sampling.
• Supporting and participating in customer site visits, external presentations, and supplier visits as required.
• Liaising with suppliers and Procurement to source raw materials needed for development and trials.
• Delivering against agreed product development and innovation KPIs.
• Working collaboratively with a cross-functional team to achieve on-time product launches.

Your essential ingredients include:

• Food related degree and/or a minimum of 2 years Product Development experience in the food industry.
• Excellent communicator with strong enthusiasm, drive, and a commitment to achieving targets and continuous improvement within a cross-functional team.
• Demonstrates strong analytical skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Possesses excellent organisational abilities, with the capacity to plan effectively and manage competing workloads.
• Confident in representing the company and its values from an NPD perspective, building and maintaining positive relationships at all levels.
• A genuine passion for food and a strong alignment with our "Foodie" value.
• Full clean driving license.

Get in touch: Sound like the career move you've been after? If you would like to hear more, pick up the phone to Anna now or send an updated CV - in Word format - via the link on the page (or email). If this opportunity doesn't quite get the taste buds flowing but like me you are passionate about food, let's have a chat and see how I can help grow your career.