At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage factory trials, experiment with recipes, and support product launches.
- Company: Leading name in the confectionery industry with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Creative environment, opportunity for innovation, and valued expertise.
- Other info: Join a well-established business with great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Turn your ideas into reality in a fast-paced, dynamic team.
- Qualifications: NPD experience, strong technical knowledge, and excellent organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Zest is exclusively recruiting an NPD Technologist to join the food development team at a chilled food manufacturer. You'll sit right in the middle of the action working cross functionally with Development, Technical, Operations and Supply chain - working each new product from concept through to the point it's ready to hand over to production.
You are the person making sure every recipe is set up properly and that each concept genuinely stands up to scrutiny on taste, cooking performance and shelf life. That means running tastings, buying in competitor products to benchmark against and making sure everything meets brand and nutritional standards before it ever reaches a customer tasting or sign-off meeting. You'll also build the food presentations that pull it all together - recipe, cost, nutritionals, method and keep the paperwork behind it accurate and up to date.
You manage the costing and pricing of new ingredients and products, build out the scenarios that support decision-making and keep an eye on how currency, market and seasonal shifts might move the numbers down the line.
When a project calls for a new ingredient, you are the one driving it - briefing procurement and technical on the spec required, chasing approvals against the critical path, and checking everything lines up with brand values, labelling rules and the realities of the production line. You’ll build up real knowledge of the supplier base along the way and help troubleshoot when sourcing hits a snag.
You’re a regular at the weekly development meetings, keeping feasibility and handover paperwork on track and making sure chefs have everything ready to demonstrate. Beyond the day-to-day, you also pick up ad-hoc projects and are comfortable managing stakeholders across the business to get them over the line.
What you will bring:
- A genuine love of food
- Experience in new or existing food development
- A background in food manufacturing - chilled meals experience is a real plus
- A degree in Food Technology or Food Science
- Confident, engaging communication skills
- Strong organisation and the ability to juggle competing priorities
- A positive, driven, can-do attitude
- A creative, independent streak and genuine enjoyment of working as part of a team
Whats in it for you:
- Working for a B Corp business that really stands on Quality and sustainability
- Bonus paid out annually on top of your Salary*
- Flexible Bank Holidays
- Free food!!!
- Great Pension contributions
- Endless Learning and Development opportunities - really take your career where you want it to go
Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, all candidates must have UK Right to work.
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NPD Technologist employer: Zest Recruitment
Join a leading food manufacturer in Newark, where you will thrive in a modern, well-invested facility that prioritises ongoing training and development. Our supportive engineering team fosters a collaborative work culture, ensuring that you have the resources and encouragement needed to excel in your role as a Multi-Skilled Engineer, while contributing to meaningful projects that drive continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Technologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the confectionery industry, especially those in NPD roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your past NPD projects, including factory trials and recipe experiments. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get comfortable presenting your ideas and findings. Use tools like PowerPoint to create engaging presentations that highlight your technical knowledge and market insights.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing passionate candidates who are eager to join our team. Make sure to tailor your application to reflect your enthusiasm for the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Technologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the NPD Technologist role. Highlight your relevant experience in new product development and any technical skills that match the job description. We want to see how your background fits with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Creativity:This role is all about turning ideas into reality, so don’t be shy about showcasing your creative side! Include examples of past projects where you’ve innovated or improved processes. We love seeing how you think outside the box!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the good stuff!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zest Recruitment
✨Know Your NPD Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your New Product Development knowledge. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the confectionery industry and be ready to discuss how you've applied your technical skills in past roles. This will show that you're not just passionate but also well-informed.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your organisational abilities, especially in managing factory trials or recipe experimentation. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it clear how you’ve successfully juggled multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
✨Be Ready to Collaborate
Since the role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, think of instances where you've successfully collaborated with others. Be prepared to discuss how you communicate ideas effectively and how you handle feedback from different departments.
✨Master Your Presentation Skills
As you'll need to present ideas confidently, practice your presentation skills ahead of time. Create a mock presentation using PowerPoint to demonstrate your ideas clearly. This will not only help you feel more comfortable but also showcase your proficiency with the tools required for the job.
