Product Developer

Development Technologist/Product Developer

Job Purpose

Responsible to help create & deliver customer development plans, ensuring the delivery of quality, technical & commercial objectives, requiring cross functional collaboration with various departments across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Work alongside the NPD Manager to interpret customer briefs and to take responsibility for the development of new & innovative products in line with product briefs and market insights
• Responsible for customer sample make ups & submissions
• Work closely with all functions to deliver focused development that achieves agreed gross margin ensuring products are commercially viable and work in practice

• Work with site operational, procurement, technical and commercial team prior to trialling on costings and feasibility of new products
• Plan & lead factory trials in with team and deliver ongoing production product improvement EPD where necessary
• Maintain recipe/ process documentation and input new information on necessary systems
• Drive preparation for customer presentations, including making of samples, costings and documentation
• Take on board outputs from customer meetings and feedback to site teams & take relevant action in a timely manner
• Ensure products developed are fit for purpose, and the best they can possibly be
• Feed information into the NPD process so critical paths are delivered in a timely manner
• Keep abreast of global, national, regional and local food trends to ensure that we deliver products to retail and foodservice ahead of the market
• Keep abreast of legislative requirements and ensure that all products are developed with future proofing in mind in terms of attributes

Essential

• Degree or 3rd Level qualification in a food / nutrition related subject
• Experience working within the Food Industry & Passionate about delivering new products to the market
• Evidence of strong organisational, planning and time management abilities
• Ability to gain and maintain trust and respect of customers, peers and suppliers
• Excellent interpersonal & communication skills. With visible desire and enthusiasm for achieving targets, objectives and continuous improvement in a cross-functional team environment
• Keen on detail & delivering work at pace
• Proven ability to provide solutions and deliver results while working independently and on own initiative
• Proficient use of computer; Word, Excel, Outlook; online portals & software; using relevant software to deliver data & presentations
• Ability to work flexibly to ensure business needs are met
• Able to travel when required with a valid driving licence and vehicle available for business use