Location: Hybrid / Dinnington, UK
Job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: FMCG | Product
Salary: Negotiable salary
Solent Group works with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supplies bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our categories are fast‑paced with ever‑evolving trends and a host of ground‑breaking products coming to market on a regular basis – we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category.
Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK.
Purpose of the role
The successful candidate will thrive in a fast‑paced environment and be passionate about all things snacking! We are looking for an individual who can build lasting relationships, has a problem‑solving mindset, is not shy of multi‑tasking, knows how to prioritise, learns quickly, and is open to a challenge – previous experience in a similar role or a graduate with a food‑based degree or background.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the creation of new superfood products (e.g., powders, blends).
- Research trends in nutrition, ingredients, and consumer behaviour (e.g., plant‑based proteins, adaptogens).
- Assist in formulating recipes and refining taste, texture, and nutritional profiles.
- Coordinate with suppliers to source ingredients (e.g., spirulina, maca, cacao).
- Assist in all functions of the product development process including market washouts, trend spotting, tracking new product launches.
- Responsible for sending out courier packages and sample management.
- Critical path management to ensure projects are developed on time.
- Support and manage product and design briefs. Work closely with the design team to produce and adjust designs to fit customer/brand requirements.
- Handle a diverse workload across a variety of product areas.
- Prepare retailer presentations and submission documents.
- Lead exciting new product development launches, initially focus on Functional drinks.
Experience
- Strong attention to detail (especially when preparing samples).
- Interest in nutrition and functional ingredients.
- Good organisation and ability to juggle multiple projects.
- Willingness to be hands‑on (it’s not just a desk job).
- Clear communication with both internal teams and external partners.
- Self‑motivated.
- Ability to multi‑task on multiple projects.
- Confident in communicating and developing relationships with internal and external parties.
- A willingness to learn and improve.
- Can show examples of cross‑functional working.
- Strong time management and a proactive work ethic.
- Fluent use of Microsoft Office / NutriCalc or equivalent.
Personal Profile
- Can‑do attitude with a positive mindset.
- Confident to ask the right questions and add value where appropriate.
- Highly organised with attention to detail.
- Analytical.
- Reliable and committed.
What we offer
- Competitive salary with annual salary reviews.
- 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years’ service and 30 days after 5 years’ service.
- Extensive benefits programme including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits.
- Flexible hours and work from home available to all staff with an office presence ideally once a week.
- Great learning and development and progression opportunities. Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets).
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave.
- Generous Company Sick Pay.
- Pension Scheme Contribution.
- Solent social events run by our inhouse Social Team.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
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