NPD Process Technologist

NPD Process Technologist

Reporting into the Head of Florette NPD, we have an exciting opportunity for a NPD Process Technologist to join our team at Florette in Lichfield.

This role is key in supporting the introduction of new salad products to market with the larger NPD team. The successful candidate will manage and conduct Raw Material and Product factory trials regularly, whilst analysing shelf life, product samples, and industrial validations. You will work in cooperation and with close communication with internal factory departments and support external customers with new product introductions for branded and own-label products.

This role is perfect for NPD professionals at the early stages in their career or a recent Graduate in a Food Science/Technology degree looking for their next or first step into a large household brand name which supplies into the majority of UK supermarkets and retailers.

Working hours: Mon-Fri, 08:30 - 17:00

Pay: £25,000 per annum, with annual bonus

Main Responsibilities

1. Support product development activities, following the established procedure within deadlines to include NPD, EPD & Innovation projects.
2. Manage trials, shelf life, samples and industrial validations for new products, working in cooperation with factory departments and key stakeholders.
3. Manage new raw material trials through the factory process, reporting results following shelf life and product evaluation.
4. Provide guidance & support to NPD team on new factory processes and process capability.
5. Support and manage the transition of new products to the factory / industrial scale.
6. Support and manage customer sample needs.

Skills and Experience Required

1. Ideally educated to HND or Degree level in a Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline.
2. Experience of working within an NPD department.
3. Ideally has experience in the development of Chilled/Short shelf life products, Shelf Life Analysis, Product Sampling & Factory Trials.
4. Proof of Factory-based development projects within food/drink production.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact and work closely with factory and technical teams.
6. Focus for quality and process improvements.

What You Will Get In Return

1. An annual salary of £25,000, in our annual bonus scheme and a range of employee benefits you’d expect from a market leading business, including:
2. Life Assurance: 3x your basic salary paid to your nominated beneficiary.
3. Employee Assistance Programme: Providing a Remote GP service along with a 24/7 helpline for financial, legal, medical and life issues.
4. Annual leave entitlement: 33 days annual leave per annum inclusive of UK Bank Holidays which increases with service, as well as an option to purchase an additional working week of holiday.
5. Training and Development: Personalised induction as well as regular training and development courses and schemes.
6. Benefits Platforms: Employee discount platform for multiple retailers as well as salary finance schemes for bicycles, gyms, and financial assistance.
7. Other: Recognition awards, Regular Employee Engagement days, attendance incentives, an annual volunteering day, and a free staff transport service to and from site covering Lichfield, Burton on Trent, Cannock, Rugeley, and Burntwood.

About Us

Florette is one of three UK food manufacturing factories within Agrial Fresh Produce, which is an autonomous part of the larger 22,000 employee strong French co-operative group, Agrial. The business operates mainly under its recognisable Florette salad brand and we are one of the UK’s leading producers in the industry. Under the well-known Florette brand, our site processes and distributes pre-packed, ready to eat, fresh salad bags and bowls to some of the UK's most well-known supermarkets and retailers, as well as your favourite restaurants and fast food vendors. In total, we sell around 600,000kg of products every week!

Agrial has operations across 18 regions, with 280 farming outlets and 5 different divisions, which comprise Beverage, Dairy, Meat, Fresh Produce & Agricultural operations; it’s not just about lettuce! As well as the 3 factories we also have a farming operation – Agrial Fresh Farms. All UK sites operate under the name of Agrial Fresh Produce Limited and fall under Agrial's vegetable division. We have a recipe for success through our EPIC values and working together as one team.

Next Steps

It’s an exciting time to join our business as we look for new starters to join us in innovating in everything we do! We’re looking for positive and driven people to join our professional team. If you have the skills and experience we are looking for, and want a fresh challenge we would love for you to join us on our journey!

Please apply directly or alternatively contact Will Kaye, Recruitment Officer for a totally confidential discussion.

Agrial Fresh Produce reserve the right to close this vacancy once we have received sufficient applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Recruitment Agencies: This role is being handled by the internal recruitment team and no assistance is required.

VISA Sponsorship: We are unable to provide VISA sponsorship, and therefore cannot employ anyone who does not have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Our recruitment process will ask you to provide evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd is an Equal Opportunities employer. In addition, as part of Responsible Recruitment, Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd believes in the Employer Pay Principle. No worker should pay for a job – the costs of recruitment should be borne not by the worker but by the employer.

We are committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all of our staff. That’s why we’ve taken the Mental Health at Work Commitment and are currently delivering a programme of activities to ensure that everyone can have open and honest conversations about their wellbeing in the workplace and feel supported. We encourage applications from persons with experience of poor mental health and are committed to supporting our employees to fulfil their potential and perform at their best in work.