Senior NPD Technologist
About Daily Dose:
Daily Dose is the largest cold pressed juice manufacturer in the UK. We produce all our drinks in-house at our Corby factory. Daily Dose started in our founder's mum's kitchen and has since moved to a BRC AA+ site. At Daily Dose, we produce the finest cold pressed juice which is sold in this country and further afield. Daily Dose focuses on sustainability; working with local farmers to use surplus wonky fruit and veg, turning our organic waste into Biofuels and only using bottles made from recycled materials.
We are looking for an office / factory-based Senior NPD Technologist who will work alongside our NPD Manager.
We are looking for a team player with a can-do attitude.
Product Development & Innovation
* Manage the development and delivery of commercially viable, best-in-class products from approved brief to launch.
* Create and write new recipes for NPD (New Product Development) projects.
* Support Product Technologists in sample preparation.
* Prepare samples from given recipes or based on research aligned with briefs.
* Contribute to product improvement initiatives, both in-house and customer-driven (e.g. use of process-friendly ingredients).
* Play a proactive role in enhancing the quality of products in terms of components and visual appeal.
* Conduct market research to identify trends, customer preferences, and perform competitor analysis.
Project Management & Process
* Ensure development procedures and critical paths are followed in line with Stage and Gate Launch Procedure.
* Organise internal and external product presentations in accordance with project briefs.
* Coordinate and complete all post-trial activities including nutritional testing, sensory assessment, shelf life studies, and product standard documentation.
* Review and provide feedback on artwork.
* Set up new products in recipe and equipment software systems.
* Ensure all relevant product information is accurately documented and NPD trackers are kept up to date.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
* Work closely with cross-functional teams including marketing, procurement, technical, and production to ensure successful product development.
* Collaborate with suppliers and the procurement manager to source appropriate raw materials and packaging.
* Provide regular updates to the wider team, e.g., during weekly NPD meetings.
* Communicate outcomes of trial reviews and ensure stakeholder alignment for product approval.
Food Safety, Quality & Compliance
* Follow all relevant food safety guidelines to ensure trial samples are high-quality and meet safety and acceptability standards.
* Maintain a clean and safe lab environment, adhering to the ‘clean as you go’ policy and ensuring high GMP standards.
* Ensure trial products meet internal and customer quality expectations.
Costing & Commercial Viability
* Accurately cost all products in partnership with the commercial team.
* Ensure developed products are commercially viable while maintaining quality standards.
Required Skills:
* At least 3 years minimum NPD experience, ingredient functionality, analytical laboratory skills. Ideally retail experience, but not essential
* Food related degree or relevant experience.
* Full driving licence, with willingness for occasional travel to customers
* Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
* Strong analytical skills with an ability to problem solve in a fast-paced environment.
* Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work with diverse groups with an emphasis on team members with different backgrounds or skill sets.