We are looking for an experienced and driven Senior NPD Technologist to join our Technical/NPD team.
This is a varied, hands-on role with responsibility for delivering new and existing product development projects from initial concept and kitchen recipe through to successful factory launch. You will work cross-functionally to ensure projects are delivered within agreed timelines and commercial targets, while meeting customer, food safety and quality requirements.
Hours of work:
07:30 - 16:30, 40 hours per week. Flexibility of hours required
The Role
Reporting to the Technical Manager, as Senior NPD Technologist you will take ownership of the concept-to-launch process, coordinating development activity and ensuring new products and product changes transition smoothly into factory production.
Working closely with NPD, Technical, Operations, Engineering and other key stakeholders, your responsibilities will include:
- Managing new product development projects through the Stage & Gate process, including feasibility reviews, critical paths and stakeholder approvals.
- Coordinating pre-launch meetings, factory trials, first production runs and post-launch reviews.
- Scaling up customer-approved recipes from kitchen development into factory production.
- Managing product safety requirements, including cooking and cooling methodology, ingredient and cook requirements, cooking validations, nutritional standards, microbiological standards and food labelling.
- Supporting product sampling and customer submissions, including sample documentation, presentations and Quality Assurance sessions.
- Working directly with customers throughout the development and launch process and communicating feedback internally.
- Supporting the creation and approval of pack copies, packaging and artwork.
- Ensuring new products comply with relevant HACCP, CCP and QCP requirements from initial development through to launch.
- Supporting and delivering customer visits, product launches and audits.
- Driving relevant Technical KPIs covering food safety, quality, microbiological standards, complaints, GMP and food safety culture.
- Identifying and implementing opportunities to improve product safety, quality and cost.
- Supporting EPD and cost-out initiatives across the existing product portfolio.
- Working closely with the Specifications team and providing support with specifications, artwork and customer portals where required.
- Leading and developing a small team through regular 1:1s, development plans and succession planning.
- Promoting strong Health & Safety standards and ensuring company policies and procedures are followed.
- Supporting positive employee engagement and promoting The Authentic Food Co. values.
About You
We are looking for someone with strong food manufacturing and NPD experience who is comfortable working in a fast-paced factory environment.
You will ideally have:
- Previous experience in NPD within a food manufacturing environment.
- A Food Science degree or equivalent qualification, with a minimum of 3 years' relevant experience.
- Strong knowledge of food safety, quality assurance and food manufacturing technical requirements.
- Experience managing products from concept through to factory launch.
- Effective project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and critical paths.
- Experience using specification and recipe management systems.
- Strong analytical skills and excellent attention to detail.
- Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across Technical, Operations and Engineering teams.
- Customer-facing experience.
- Experience leading or coordinating a small team.
- The ability to identify and solve complex technical problems.
- Good IT and systems knowledge.
- Working knowledge of retailer/customer Codes of Practice and standards such as BRC
- Level 3 Food Safety & HACCP certification.
What We're Looking For
You will be organised, proactive and commercially aware, with the ability to balance innovation with the practical requirements of food manufacturing.
You'll need to be equally comfortable working on development projects, supporting activity on the factory floor, engaging with customers and ensuring the technical detail behind every launch is robust.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced NPD professional looking to take ownership of projects, influence product development and play a key role in delivering successful launches within a fast-paced food manufacturing business.
