Junior Product Developer in Nottingham

Junior Product Developer in Nottingham

Nottingham Entry level 28500 - 32000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Develop innovative dog food products and manage supplier relationships from day one.
  • Company: Fast-growing startup dedicated to revolutionising pet nutrition.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, wellness budget, learning opportunities, and fun team events.
  • Other info: Join a passionate team and enjoy casual dress and your birthday off!
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on pet health while working in a dynamic, hands-on environment.
  • Qualifications: Food science degree or experience in food development; curiosity about ingredients is key.

The predicted salary is between 28500 - 32000 £ per year.

Join Our Pack

From a bold idea to revolutionising dog food, Years has grown into a fast-scaling business dedicated to helping dogs live longer, healthier lives. In just 3 years, we've built a great start-up business, serving thousands of happy customers, all while striving to achieve our mission. Our goal? To give dog owners a better, fresher, and healthier way to feed their pets. We provide human cut, personalised meals designed to support each dog's unique needs, delivered straight to their door - no preservatives, no compromises, just real nutrition. You can find our customers across the UK, with future ambitions to scale internationally and continue transforming how people care for their dogs.

Your Mission

You've just finished your degree and you're looking for something real - not a rotation scheme, not a support role, not a slow climb. You want to actually make things. At Years, we make nutrition that helps dogs live longer, healthier lives. Every product in our range is built around genuine science and real ingredients and the NPD team is where that happens. We're growing fast, our white label range is expanding, and we need someone to own a chunk of it from the start. This is a proper first job. You'll have your own projects, your own supplier relationships, and your own deadlines from early on. You'll sit within a small, hands-on team where everyone gets stuck in and where the work you do will be visible, meaningful, and directly connected to what ends up in dogs' bellies! As you find your feet in the range, you'll start contributing to what we make and why - not just how. If you're curious about food, care about quality, and want to learn fast in a business that's going somewhere - this is it.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop new products within our B&L wet and extras range, taking projects from initial brief through to launch.
  • Own existing product development activity on B&L extras lines, working with suppliers to deliver timely, well-executed updates.
  • Manage external supplier relationships, keeping communication clear and projects on track.
  • Maintain accurate product specifications, recipes and development documentation throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Support the wider NPD team with ad hoc tasks including sample generation and lower-complexity project work.
  • Stay across market trends relevant to the B&L and extras category and bring relevant insights into ranging conversations.

Requirements

What you'll bring

  • A food science degree or some experience in a food or pet food development environment - we're open to both.
  • Confidence communicating with suppliers and external partners in a clear, professional way.
  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects without losing the detail.
  • A genuine curiosity about food, ingredients, and what makes a product work commercially.
  • A proactive attitude - you spot what needs doing and get on with it.

Benefits

What's In It For You?

  • Salary of £28,500 - £32,000.
  • Medicash Level 4 Cashback plan.
  • Spill EAP and Mental Health Support programme.
  • Annual £250.00 Learning & Development budget for courses, books or other self-learn activities each year.
  • Annual £200.00 Wellbeing budget each year.
  • Up to 2 weeks working abroad per year (selected roles).
  • Monthly recognition through our Yappa of The Month programme.
  • 1 Volunteer day per year - dog themed or not: it’s your choice!
  • Subsidised employee groups - from five a side to padel there's loads to get involved in or the chance to start up your own group.
  • Bi-annual subsidised team events from Axe throwing, crazy golf to cocktail making.
  • Exclusive discounts on Years and Years treats for yourself and friends/family.
  • Lunch & Learn programme - from dog first aid to financial savviness we've got sessions planned to cover all kinds of topics.
  • Casual dress.
  • Your birthday off or different day if it falls on a non-working day.
  • Ability to sell any unused holiday back to Years at the end of the Holiday Year (maximum 1 working week).

Junior Product Developer in Nottingham employer: Years.com - More Years Together

At Years, we pride ourselves on being an innovative and fast-growing start-up that is dedicated to improving the lives of dogs through high-quality nutrition. Our vibrant work culture fosters creativity and collaboration, allowing Junior Product Developers to take ownership of their projects from day one, while benefiting from a supportive environment that prioritises personal growth and well-being. With competitive salaries, generous learning budgets, and unique perks like volunteer days and team events, we offer a fulfilling workplace where your contributions truly make a difference.

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Contact Details:

Years.com - More Years Together Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Junior Product Developer in Nottingham

Get in the Kitchen!

Don’t just sit behind a screen—roll up your sleeves and get some hands-on experience! Join local food technology workshops or volunteer at community kitchens. This is a fab way to connect with others in the food science scene and show off your skills!

Join Foodie Networks

Some awesome opportunities come from getting involved in food science communities, both online and offline. Check out forums and groups like the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) for networking events and meet-ups. It's a solid way to meet folks and find out about job openings that might not be advertised!

Leverage University Career Resources

If you’re fresh out of uni, don't forget to tap into your school’s career services. They often have connections with companies looking to hire entry-level talent, plus access to internship listings that could be a golden ticket to your dream job.

Show Off Your Passion Online

Start a blog or social media account where you explore trends in food science and tech, share reviews of products, or even experiment with recipes! This gives you visibility and makes you memorable to employers like Years.com - More Years Together—plus, it shows you’re genuinely passionate about the field!

We think you need these skills to ace Junior Product Developer in Nottingham

Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills
Adaptability
Compassion
Flexibility
Teamwork
Organizational Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Relevant Studies:In the food science and technology field, your educational background is super important. You should definitely highlight any relevant coursework, projects, or research you've done. Make sure your CV pops with anything related to food chemistry, nutrition, or processing techniques. Trust us, it’ll grab their attention!

Share Your Passion for Food Science:In your cover letter, don't just list your qualifications; tell a story! Share why you’re passionate about food science and technology. Maybe you had a lightbulb moment in class or a fun project that sparked your interest. Let Years.com - More Years Together know what drives you and how you want to contribute!

Include Hands-on Experience:If you've had any internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work related to food science—make sure to include that! Even if it’s just a lab assistant role or helping out at a food tech event, any real-world experience will make you stand out. Employers love seeing that you’ve applied your knowledge in practical ways.

Tailor Your Application Materials:Don't just send out the same CV and cover letter to every application—tailor them for Years.com - More Years Together! Research their projects and focus areas in food science and technology, and relate your skills and experiences to what they do. Showing that you understand their mission will make a big difference in an entry-level role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Years.com - More Years Together

Know Your Basics

For an entry-level position in food science technology, it’s crucial that we brush up on the fundamentals. Expect questions about food safety standards, nutritional science, and food processing methods. Be ready to discuss any relevant coursework or labs that demonstrate your understanding of these key concepts.

Show Off Your Projects

Bringing along a portfolio of any projects you've worked on during your studies can really give you an edge. Whether it's a food product you developed or a research project you contributed to, illustrating your hands-on experience will help Years.com - More Years Together see your potential in action, even at an entry-level.

Brush Up on Tech Tools

Familiarity with specific software tools like statistical analysis programmes or food safety software will be beneficial. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked about your experience with data analysis. We should be prepared to discuss how you can apply these tools in practical scenarios within food science.

Passion for Food Innovation

Since this is an entry-level role, your motivation and passion for food technology will be as important as your knowledge. Be ready to share why you’re excited about the field and what you hope to learn at Years.com - More Years Together. Show that you're not just looking for any job, but that you genuinely want to grow in this industry.