Product Developer

Our client a fast growing business within the food product manufacturing industry is looking to welcome a new Product Technologist to join their team. This role would provide great growth and opportunity for the right candidate!

Product Development

• Develop innovative bakery products in line with business objectives and customer requirements.
• Create original bakery products and recipes to meet customer briefs and commercial expectations.
• Manage products throughout the full concept-to-launch process collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to ensure successful delivery.
• Demonstrate a strong passion for food baking and product innovation with the ability to identify and incorporate current market trends into new product development.
• Accurately document recipes methods and development records in accordance with internal product development procedures.
• Prepare preliminary recipe costings during development to ensure products meet target cost requirements.
• Coordinate product samples packaging and distribution for customer submissions ensuring products are presented to a consistently high standard and delivered on time.
• Carry out initial shelf-life and transport suitability assessments for new product concepts where required.
• Complete all relevant documentation for internal and external stakeholders including product submission forms specifications development handovers and new ingredient requests.
• Work alongside Process Development and Technical teams to complete shelf-life validation throughout the development process considering formulation packaging production environment and storage conditions while ensuring accurate documentation before full-scale production.
• Collaborate with Technical and Production teams to support factory trials pre-production runs and product launches.
• Partner with Procurement to source and evaluate new ingredients for product development.
• Ensure any new equipment or raw materials required for product launches receive the necessary approvals and are available before production begins.
• Develop all new products and product modifications in accordance with food safety quality and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain comprehensive records of product development including recipe documentation design history and photographic records.
• Conduct competitor benchmarking and market research to maintain awareness of industry trends and emerging product opportunities.
• Maintain a clean organised and safe product development kitchen and workspace promoting good housekeeping and food safety practices at all times.

Communication Responsibilities

• Attend internal meetings and project briefings ensuring effective communication and clear handovers between teams.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues customers clients and commercial stakeholders throughout the product development process.
• Represent the organisation professionally at internal and external meetings when required.
• Support promotional activities exhibitions and product events to help showcase products and increase market awareness.
• Respond professionally and promptly to customer enquiries correspondence and telephone communications.

Skills and Experience

• Proficient in Microsoft Word Excel and PowerPoint.
• Basic Food Safety certification or training.
• Full driving licence preferred but not essential.
• Highly organised proactive and self-motivated with the ability to prioritise workload effectively in a fast-paced environment.