Department: Technical
Location: Manchester (Trafford)
Closing date: 23rd July 2026
Our Business
We are proud of our heritage and position as one of Europe’s largest specialist food companies, manufacturing and supplying authentic global foods which serve the chefs and owners of restaurants and takeaways, as well as a diverse range of consumers. With a strong portfolio of leading brands including Lucky Boat, Elephant Atta, Rajah, Green Dragon and Patak’s, our product range is as diverse as the people who chose to work here, and includes noodles, flour, rice, spices, sauces, and oils. We pride ourselves on our passion for food and people, where collaboration, diversity, and inclusion are integral in everything that we do. This is underpinned with our employee resource groups where members and allies help create an inclusive environment and special events are celebrated. Westmill is a place where no one feels like the new person for long and everyone has the chance to make a real difference to the business by being their authentic selves.
The Opportunity
You will play a key role in bringing innovative food products from concept to market, working closely with UK retailers, B2B and industrial customers to build strong relationships and deliver commercially competitive solutions. You will lead and support NPD projects end-to-end, conducting ingredient testing, factory trials, benchmarking and analysis to ensure products meet customer, legal and quality standards, while mitigating supply chain risk. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, suppliers and stakeholders, you will combine market insight, technical expertise and strong project management to drive innovation, enhance customer engagement and contribute to business growth, all while maintaining a hands-on presence in both the development kitchen and factory environment.
Who are we looking for?
You will be a passionate and commercially minded food professional, ideally with a background in food science, food technology or nutrition, or equivalent experience developed within an NPD environment. Experience working with UK retailers and delivering private label NPD projects would be advantageous. You bring a genuine love of food, a keen curiosity for trends and ingredients, and the ability to turn insight into successful, market-ready products. Highly organised and proactive, you can manage multiple projects at pace while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail. You communicate clearly and build strong, collaborative relationships with customers, colleagues and suppliers. Equally comfortable working hands-on in a kitchen or factory environment as you are analysing data, you combine technical understanding with strong stakeholder management and a drive to make things happen and deliver results.
What we offer:
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A competitive salary
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ABF Pension Scheme membership
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An annual Incentive Plan
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Private Healthcare
Additionally, you will have access to a range of benefits aimed at enhancing your wellbeing both at home and at work; from a free and confidential 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme to access to affordable loans and financial education, electric vehicle and cycle to work salary sacrifice schemes, an option to buy additional holidays and a day dedicated to volunteering in your local community. You will also have access to our benefits platform Extra Spice from day one, offering a huge variety of retail and leisure discounts.
Would you like to hear more?
We would be delighted to discuss this opportunity with anyone who feels they would be a great fit for our business. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, and we are more than happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that you may require at any stage in the recruitment process.
