Senior NPD Technologist

About the role

We are seeking a Senior NPD Technologist to lead the creation and launch of innovative food products within a fast‑moving manufacturing environment. You will translate retailer and customer briefs into commercially viable solutions, managing projects from concept through factory trials to market release.

Key responsibilities

• Lead development of new and improved food products from idea to launch.
• Interpret retailer and customer briefs, conduct market and trend research.
• Formulate and reformulate recipes to meet technical, financial and nutritional targets.
• Source and evaluate new ingredients in partnership with procurement and technical teams.
• Organise factory trials, product testing, shelf‑life validation and approve artwork and documentation.
• Support nutritional analysis, product claims and cooking instructions while ensuring food‑safety, allergen and retailer compliance.
• Manage product launch handovers, cross‑functional meetings and drive continuous improvement of NPD processes.
• Mentor junior NPD team members and deputise for the NPD Manager as required.

Required profile

• Proven experience in an NPD role within food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of product development from concept to launch.
• Experience managing retailer accounts and customer‑facing projects.
• Understanding of thermal processing, shelf‑life testing and nutritional compliance.
• Familiarity with food safety legislation, HACCP and allergen management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

Required skills

• Thermal processing
• Shelf‑life testing
• Nutritional analysis
• Food safety legislation
• HACCP
• Allergen management

What we offer

• Competitive salary up to £37,000 per year.
• Hybrid working with one day per week remote.
• Opportunity to lead high‑impact projects in a dynamic food manufacturing setting.
• Professional development through mentoring junior staff and cross‑functional collaboration.