Product Developer - food manufacturing

Product Developer

GBP28,000 to GBP32,000
Essex
Food Manufacturing
Job ref: 8657

The company

Well-established and successful food manufacturer supplying a range of products to retail, wholesale and other manufacturers. This business has experienced tremendous success and is proud of its reputation for providing exceptional customer service and superior quality products.

About the Product Developer job

The purpose of your role will be to oversee products from concept to launch in line with an agreed brief and critical path whilst building and maintaining customer relationships, acting as the dedicated contact to provide accurate and consistent communication.

Key tasks

1. Project management of NPD/EPD/NPV briefs from concept to launch with a right first time approach.
2. Lead innovation taste panels either internally or externally to the standard required whilst being the authority on the products being presented.
3. Lead factory trials for new products to ensure that products are only progressed where truly feasible without risk to product integrity, technical standards and commercial viability.
4. Source and verify the feasibility of new raw materials within company specifications and approved suppliers clearly understanding allergen and MOQ considerations.
5. Store visits, collection of samples from retail, attendance at trade events as and when necessary.
6. To be aware of and continuously develop understanding of trends, consumer behaviours, insight and new opportunities which may present business opportunities for the company’s brands or customers.

About You

Experience in a similar role within a food manufacture environment is essential ideally with a relevant degree or possibly you might be a foodie / passionate cook with a Chef background or experience.

• Basic culinary knowledge of flavours, flavour pairings and how to make delicious products.
• Understanding health/nutritional/dietary benefits of products to be suggested or presented to the customer.
• Project management skills; ability to deal with complexity of products, projects and customers.
• Computer literate across Excel, Word and PowerPoint with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Customer facing skills to display a confident and knowledgeable manner in order to engage with customers.

More details

The Product Developer job is based in Essex and is paying GBP28,000 to GBP32,000 according to your experience.

The working hours are Monday to Friday although flexibility is required to travel and attend launches outside normal office hours.