A leading Food Manufacturer is currently recruiting for a Senior NPD Technologist. Your role will work cross functionally with project managing the NPD process to deliver EPD and NPD to exceed expectation with both internal customers (Brand) and external customers. Liaise with customers (internal & external) to take products from concept to launch ensuring compliance to our internal QMS, customer procedures & policies and our Innovation process/stage gate.
Senior NPD Technologist responsibilities include:
1. Responsible for key customer accounts working along side the dedicated commercial team
2. Support the team – be a true foody – aware of trends from insight and competitors and be commercially aware around influences in market
3. Carryout concept development for both EPD and true NPD projects – support the NPD Manager
4. Have the ability to step in for NPD Manager when required
5. Nurture strong customer relationships, understanding the end user/consumer to ensure pro-active NPD/EPD to deliver customer requirements – visit and present to customers as required
6. Work alongside strategic supplier’s resources to support NPD projects and act as specialist knowledge resource to support the team
7. Follow the Product Development procedure and remain compliant with both BRC and Customer specific policies at all times – work closely with Food Safety Quality colleagues around allergens/HACCP
8. Provide trouble shooting support to the Operations including assistance with cost engineering projects
You will ideally be degree qualified in a food science / equivalent subject with 3 years plus experience working in a Development role within a Food manufacturing environment.
You will require a good level of knowledge of the product development cycle, including all aspects of QMS internal procedure and experience of Top 4 retailer NPD systems/processes and a good level of Food Labelling, Product Specifications, Nutritional information, Legislation related to food/materials and some understanding of packaging. You will be able to demonstrate Project Management skills across multi-disciplinary teams including Risk analysis/mitigation, ability to coordinate to achieve critical path deadlines competently