The Cake Crew have a vacancy for Maternity Cover for a Senior NPD Technologist for a period of 1 year from February 2025. This role is for a Customer facing Senior NPD technologist who will ensure customer critical paths for project briefs are adhered to, launching product on time and supporting briefs with innovative ideas and trends through market data and research.
The main duties of the role are:
To manage customers accounts with NPD and EPD projects from concept to launch;
Direct contact with Key retailers, face to face and written communication.
Create and develop innovative designs, capturing new key trends designs for both NPD and EPD projects.
Work to tight deadlines in a fast pace environment ensuring that all key milestones are met.
Champion recipe creation and all documentation throughout concept to launch process including recipes, submission forms, QAS/ CQMs, launch folders, factory paperwork.
Undertake all tasks associated with product launch organoleptic testing, micro review.
Responsible for sourcing new ingredients, fit for purpose for the design, customer and site requirements and costs. Be the first point of contact for basic information such as specification, MOQ, lead times and price.
Attend all customer submission meetings.
Responsible for sending out kitchen samples and to meet the required delivery deadlines.
Work closely with process technologist to organise trials, ensure all raw materials are ordered in advance. Support production and the process technologist through out the trial stage.
Organise preproduction launch meetings & over see first product launches
Support teams workload to "get the job done".
Work closely with relevant specification writer to ensure alignment with project updates
Attend any onsite meetings as required
Support with innovation days
Attend quality panels when required and or Competitor benchmarking sessions
Be the link between the customer needs and requirements and the process technologist’s adherences to the factory processes
Support and ensure transit trials are completed and recorded
Responsible for sending out photography samples, public relation samples.
Researching new ways to produce and improve the quality, processing and packaging
Support with projects for the benefit of the business and department as directed by the NPD manager.
Support and cover/deputise the NPD department in the abence of the NPD Manager e.g attend meetings, support the team etc
To comply with and assist with implementation of company food safety, quality, and legality policies as they relate to the role
You will:
Preferably educated to degree level.
Have experience working within an NPD technologist role in the food industy, ideally within bakery.
Have knowledge and experience of bakery ingredient functionality
Have an understanding of HACCP Principles and be suitably qualified (Level 3 minimum)
Have good written and verbal communication skills
Be computer literate in all aspects of Microsoft Office
Be Food Hygiene Qualified
Be Conversant with retailer Codes of Practice and Policies desirable – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, CO-OP, Aldi, Asda, Morrisons, Iceland, Lidl, Bidfood and Premier / Cadbury would be an advantage.
This is initially a maternity cover post, but may lead to a permanent full or part time position.
If this is the role for you then apply using the application form or send your CV to terri.roberts@thecakecrew.co.uk