New Product Introduction Technologist

Kerry Group plc; Ossett; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

Requisition ID: 56865
Position Type: FT Permanent
Workplace Arrangement: #LI-Onsite

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

We’re Dairy Consumer Foods – a leading name in the food industry with over €370m sales revenue globally. Alongside famous British & Irish brands such as Strings and Things, Pure, Dairygold and Coleraine, we’re also a leading producer of fantastic supermarket private label Butters, Spreads and Margarines. We’re made up of a team of brilliant people and big ambitions. Our products, many of which are household favourites, are eaten by millions of people every day.

About the role

We are looking for a New Product Introduction Technologist (Process Technologist) that will work cross functionally, as part of the R&D Team, ensuring standardised approach to New Product Introduction in our Dairy Butter Spreads and Plant Based Butter Alternatives manufacturing facility. The successful candidate will be based in Ossett, West Yorkshire.

This individual will play a key role in transitioning product and packaging developments from the product development team to production readiness in collaboration with operations teams. They will also ensure a consistent approach to product renovations and manage labelling updates.

Key responsibilities

• Work cross functionally, as part of R&D Team, ensuring a standardised approach to New Product Introduction.
• Carry out recipe trials on dairy and plant-based products in the factory. Establish process control parameters, manufacturing instructions (including recipe information) and validate product standards which will enable Operations Team to manufacture products consistent with Product Design.
• Communicate the product quality standards as part of the NPI process and provide training to facilitate understanding and effective implementation.
• Organise and co-ordinate new packaging trials and ensure that outcome is effectively communicated to relevant stakeholders.
• Own activities related to the introduction of new products into the factory using various systems (internal and customer).
• Work cross functionally with internal teams, suppliers, customers, and brand marketing.
• Collaborate with outside agencies and suppliers as appropriate, co-ordinate and ensure the completion of relevant activities required as part of the artwork approval process.
• Support the delivery of Process & Profit Improvement Projects at site level, ensuring changes are introduced in accordance with defined site capabilities, ensuring product quality attributes are preserved and Food Safety and Legal requirements are met.
• Build relationships with Marketing, Operations and Commercial and ensure Customer care and adherence to our Purpose, Dairy Strategy, Vision, and Values.
• Maintain knowledge of market trends, restrictions, regulations, customer requirements and processes.
• Presentation of samples & concepts to internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications and skills

• BSc in food science or equivalent, MSc desirable but not essential.
• Experience in food industry.
• Project management and organisational skills: demonstrate flexibility & adaptability.
• Driven to overcome challenges and develop timely solutions.
• Numerical ability to record & analyse key process data.
• Highly organized multi-tasker, able to interpret data from multiple sources.
• Attention to detail with structured approach.
• Displays tenacity. Goes that extra mile to achieve results and deliver excellent service.
• Able to play a key role as a high performing team member.