Senior Product Development Technologist

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Product Development Technologist to join our team. Reporting directly to the Product Development Manager the Senior Product Development Technologist plays a crucial role in managing the development of new and existing products in line with the Product Development strategy from concept through to full scale launch for Branded and Own Label projects.

The Senior PD technologist is the driving force and owner of the Branded & Own Label Christmas portfolio and is a key point of contact within the business for this development.

Duties:

Innovation

• Lead the ideation and creation of new products & packaging from concept through to full scale launch for UK retail, Export and Food Service & B2B customers for both Own Label and branded portfolios.


• Be a key voice within the ideation phase of innovation projects bringing thought-leadership regarding flavour, formats and concepts.


• Have a finger on the pulse of emerging technologies, trends, and market disruptions for inspiration.


• Ensure developmental standards are met in line with internal policies, regulatory requirements & customer codes of practice.


• Testing and evaluating new raw materials with suppliers to meet briefs, assure contingency & cost save.


• Complete accurate costing model for all relevant projects.


• Create packaging briefs to tender to packaging suppliers. Work with suppliers to develop new packaging concepts.


• Approval & sign off of cutter guides & artwork.


• Prepare all relevant documentation & samples, as well as attend product submissions.


• Work with the PLPM to create & manage project critical paths.


• Create Christmas portfolio presentation.


• Contribute to long-term PD strategy through blue sky innovation & supplier engagement.


Factory Upscale & Validation

• Organise, execute and evaluate factory trials both internally & externally ensuring that products are robustly tested prior to product launch.


• Attend packing trials at co-packers as required.


• Attend 1st productions internally & at co-packers.


Management

• Manage the Christmas related work flow of the Product Development Process Administrator.


• Develop the PDPA in line with Norseland's SOAP objectives.


Hero the PD Process

• Lead by example & ensure gated PD process is followed at all stages of PD projects.


• Drive cross functional working at all stages of PD projects to ensure seamless, transparent, compliant, and documented input to the product development process.


• Manage allocated tasks within PD process to ensure project timelines are met.


Food Safety & Audit Protocol

• Ensure HACCP procedure is followed for all raw materials & factory trials.


• Ensuring all relevant product files are kept up to date, in order and in an audit ready state, with full traceability of the developmental process.


• Ensuring PD areas are kept in audit ready state.


• Attend audits where required and prepare audit documentation where required.


Relationships

• Work seamlessly with internal cross-functional teams to deliver PD projects.


• Build strong working relationships external customers and suppliers.


• Be the key point of contact internally for all Christmas development.


Market Understanding/Research:

• Store visits, product safaris, food shows.


• Conduct internal tastings on development recipes/ factory trial products.


• Conduct benchmarking sessions both internally & externally.
  
  A real 'foodie', with a natural curiosity for product development/ problem solving.



• Enthusiastic, naturally innovative & creative and keen to keep up to date with new trends within the food industry.



• Good leadership skills, particularly when working under pressure.



• Ability to manage multiple taskings within PD projects at one time, with conflicting priorities and deadlines.



• Ability to work accurately with excellent attention to detail.



• Display a proactive and innovative approach in the development of products.



• Good initiative, ability to problem solve and be flexible.



• Good communication skills, with ability to present ideas in a clear and concise manner.



• Personable with ability to build strong working relationships with customers and suppliers.



• Ability to work well cross-functionally.



• Comfortable with being customer facing & confident when presenting.



• Provides constructive and positive feedback.



• Takes a proactive approach in identifying teams strengths and development needs.


Outputs & deliverables:

• Deliver the functional KPI's and SOAP objectives set for the PDT.



• Execute & deliver the Norseland Brand strategy & NPD strategy., Degree or equivalent in Food Technology, Food Science or Nutrition OR Extensive experience as NPD technologist.


• Minimum 3 years experience as Product Development Technologist (or similar role) in FMCG food manufacturing business.


• Knowledge of developmental gated processes.


• Experience of packaging development concepts with 3rd party supplier.


• Understanding of BRC audit process.


• Good understanding & knowledge of UK retailer Own Label developmental process and codes of practice.


• Experience of branded product development.


Desirable:

• Diploma in Packaging Technology, or relevant qualification.


• Chilled foods, dairy/cheese industry experience.


• Experience of developing products for Export markets.
  
  Bereavement leave


• Canteen


• Casual dress


• Company events


• Company pension


• Cycle to work scheme


• Employee discount


• Flexitime


• Free parking


• Gym membership


• Health & wellbeing programme


• Life insurance


• On-site parking


• Private dental insurance


• Private medical insurance


• Sick pay


• Work from home


Schedule:

• 8 hour shift


• Day shift


• Holidays


• Monday to Friday


Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus scheme