An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Food Product Developer to join a fast-paced and innovative food manufacturing business operating across the UK. This role is ideal for a creative and commercially minded food professional looking to develop and launch products within a dynamic FMCG environment.
Working closely with the NPD Manager and cross-functional teams, you will manage projects from concept through to launch, ensuring products meet quality, safety, customer and commercial expectations.
The Role
As Product Developer, you will support the delivery of new and existing product development projects, ensuring all products are developed in line with customer, brand and operational requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Project Management
- Manage customer and brand development briefs from concept to launch
- Ensure all projects follow internal NPD procedures and processes
- Coordinate cross-functional communication to keep projects on track
- Organise and support project meetings
- Escalate concerns and troubleshoot issues throughout development stages
- Ensure all project documentation is completed accurately and on time
Concept Development
- Develop innovative and commercially viable product concepts
- Ensure products are accurately costed and tracked throughout development
- Prepare samples and supporting documentation for customer submissions
- Support internal and external presentations and product sell-ins
- Manage benchmarking activities against customer and brand expectations
- Work with procurement to source and approve new ingredients and packaging
- Ensure products align with brand standards, customer requirements and factory capabilities
Process Development
- Support and run product process reviews (PPRs)
- Ensure product files and specifications are completed accurately
- Support BRC compliance and audit readiness
- Coordinate post-trial tasks including shelf-life, product quality and transit assessments
- Assist with product launches and customer approvals
- Support innovation and continuous improvement initiatives across packaging and processes
Customer & Cross-Functional Relationships
- Act as a key contact for customers and brand teams throughout development projects
- Build strong working relationships across Technical, Operations, Procurement and Sales
- Ensure customer expectations and development standards are understood and delivered
- Maintain clear and effective communication throughout the project lifecycle
Team Contribution
- Support wider RDQ and cross-functional teams
- Contribute to a positive, collaborative working culture
- Help maintain clean and hygienic working environments
- Support continuous improvement and business development initiatives
About You
- Food-related degree or equivalent qualification
- 2–3 years’ experience within product development, ideally in chilled food manufacturing
- Strong project management and organisational skills
- Creative, innovative and passionate about food
- Commercially aware with a basic financial understanding
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally
- Flexible approach with willingness to travel to different sites when required
- Full UK driving licence preferred
What’s on Offer
- Opportunity to work on exciting product launches and innovation projects
- Exposure to major customer and brand development programmes
- Collaborative and supportive team culture
- Career development within a growing FMCG environment
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