Development Graduate

Overview

The Role and Team

This exciting role offers a great opportunity for a creative and talented 'foodie' looking to kick-start or accelerate their career in food product development. This role will allow you to build skills and experience in new product development, food innovation, project management and quality improvement.

Reporting to a Development Manager, you will work within our product development team (with our chefs and technologists and dietitians) in addition to working closely with other key stakeholder teams such as Category Management, Technical, Purchasing and Operations. You will lead and support the delivery of development projects that meet the needs of the business, create competitive advantage and deliver products that delight our customers.

Following a comprehensive induction, the successful candidate will be supported through a programme covering many areas of the product development process from idea generation and concept development through to launch. You will quickly ‘own’ and manage projects, with the opportunity to make a real difference.

You will be offered plenty of training and guidance, but we expect you to be driven and independent with a passion to add real value to the business.

Who we are

apetito is the UK’s leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors serving more than 600 care homes and 500 hospitals, as well as 200 education settings. For over 30 years Wiltshire Farm Foods has been cooking and delivering over 300 different delicious frozen meals to our customer's homes. Our meals are expertly crafted by our dietitians and chefs, and then frozen to lock in the goodness.

As a family-owned business established in 1958, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of. We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers.

We are driven by a passion for service, dedicated to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people and offering delicious and nutritious meals to our customers.We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce. This is in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040.

Responsibilities

New Product Development

• Create competitive advantage through effective product development and proactive innovation
• Undertake research and concept development to support proposals.
• Work with cross functional teams to deliver successful launches
• Project management and leadership
• Presentations to internal stakeholders and customers to gain support and 'sell-in' concepts
• Manage projects in compliance with apetito policies and procedures
• Accurately prepare costings and nutrition calculations
• Manage production trials, product benchmarking and taste panels

Product improvement

• Improve taste, appearance, nutrition, value and choice in alignment with business category plans.

About you

Essential:

• Degree in Food based discipline - at least 2:1 (or in final year of study)
• Experience of working with others to achieve demonstrably successful project outcomes

Desirable:

• Good understanding of the Food Development process

Personal Qualities:

Essential:

• A real interest in food, nutrition and product development
• Innovative
• Determined to make a positive impact
• ‘Can-do’ attitude

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Good problem-solving skills
• Ability to influence others
• Team player

Desirable:

• Good presentation skills
• Good sensory skills

Company Benefits

• Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer
• 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year
• Discretionary annual bonus scheme
• Pension scheme - employer matched contributions up to 4%
• Life assurance scheme worth at least 1x annual salary
• Subsidised canteen
• Free parking
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas
• apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts

Our Values

As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of.

We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers.

We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people.

We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040.

Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer.Learn more about apetito’s commitment to a more sustainable future.

We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.