Role Definition:
The Senior NPD Technologist is responsible for supporting the NPD team ensuring projects meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and market relevance. This role is involved in all stages from concept to launch, applying rigorous control to critical milestones such as sample submission accuracy, factory trials, validation and sample dispatch.
The role requires working closely with NPD & internal and external customers to meet deadlines and resolve challenges. Strong communication is essential to maintain progress and minimise delays.
Specific Accountabilities
Fundamentals of the Job:
Assist in all stages of NPD:
Assist in all projects from concept through to launch, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer needs.
Customer submissions:
Assist in completing all routine sample requests, sample submissions, ensuring recipes are closely followed and quality parameters upheld
Customer samples
Ensure all sample requests are completed to deadlines. Arrange courier and book transport of samples to meet customer expectations
Reformulations
Support reformulation work ensuring methods are followed accurately and product produced to the highest quality
Assist with customer presentations:
Assist wider team in preparation and delivery of customer presentations
Ensure data accuracy:
Maintain precise and up-to-date information in RP throughout NPD process, supporting accurate costings and workflow management
Track costs:
Assist in monthly reporting of costs to senior team
NPD storage areas:
Responsible in the management of NPD storage areas in factory. Ensuring freezer lists and storage areas are updated regularly.
Assist in ensuring all ingredients within the NPD kitchen are in stock, promoting good stock rotation and minimising waste
Benchmarking and awards:
Ensure products meet quality benchmarks and manage award sample submissions.
Customer communication:
Maintain regular contact with customers, addressing queries promptly.
Factory trials & product validation
Complete key tasks to support the validation process such as micro & organoleptic testing.
Assist in coordination and delivery of factory trials
Cross-functional collaboration:
Work closely with other departments to ensure successful product launches.
Communication:
Communicate regularly with internal and external customers and deal with queries in a timely manner. Always managing the customer expectations and the positive reputation of the NPD department
Other :
Undertake other appropriate duties as deemed necessary within the scope of the role.
Required Skills & Experience
Essential
A degree in relevant science, specialist qualifications and/or proven track record in a similar role
Minimum 2 years' experience in food manufacturing or a closely related sector, with direct involvement in retailer or own-label product development.
Knowledge of food safety, legislation, HACCP & technical compliance
Good, knowledge of the meat & added value industry across multiple retailers
A self-motivated individual that is naturally inquisitive with a constant drive to 'seek out' continuous improvement.
Experience preparing and delivering formal presentations or reports to internal and external stakeholders.
Proven excellent organisational and multitasking capabilities
Ability to work effectively and in a highly productive manner as an individual or as part of a team.
Desirable
Experience using NPD or workflow management IT systems to maintain accurate project records
Evidence of identifying and resolving significant project risks or issues
Experience in managing NPD projects for at least one major UK retailer (e.g., M&S, Ocado,), with evidence of successful product launch.
Documented contribution to at least one process improvement or continuous improvement initiative in current role
