Senior NPD Technologist (Consett: DH8 7NU)

Senior NPD Technologist (Consett: DH8 7NU)

Location: Consett, DH8 7NU

Closing Date: 15 August 2026

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Senior NPD (New Product Development) Technologist to join our innovative food production team based at our site at Consett, DH8 7NU.

Purpose of the role

• To take ownership and accountability for the development and innovation of new products from concept to launch for both retailers and Princes own brand.
• To lead the development of new and improved food products.
• To mentor and guide junior team members, sharing your expertise.
• To provide a site-based product development resource based in Consett, supporting the development department with NPD, EPD, Value engineering projects as well as other business or customer related projects.
• To work closely with the procurement and technical teams supporting with business-driven ingredient projects.
• To work as part of a cross functional team and will liaise with Technical, Procurement, Marketing, Account and Commercial managers & Production departments.

Key Responsibilities

• To continuously develop and introduce new and improved products to meet strategic objectives of the business and expectations of the customers.
• To interpret retailer briefs ensuring innovative and technologically sound product designs are generated in line with customer expectations, operational constraints, and commercial needs of the business.
• To undertake market research to investigate and identify customer needs, upcoming trends with aim to take advantage of potential business opportunities.
• Recipe development and reformulation to achieve a product that meets customer expectations and that is financially and technically feasible.
• Completing account specific documentation and project work when required (Sample Submission Forms, NPDTT’s, QAS’s)
• To carry out a feasibility study with key stakeholders on new product briefs.
• Reviewing and approving artwork.
• Working with new and current suppliers to source new, high quality and cost-effective ingredients and assist Technical in the approval of new suppliers/ingredients by gathering all necessary data.
• Shelf-Life testing of new product.
• To organise and attend factory trials and ensure output of the trial is documented and communicated to the business.
• To have an in-depth knowledge of thermal processing to aid with development and factory trials.
• Nutritional testing of new products to ensure that the nutritional composition of a new product meets the requirements of the retailers’ nutritional policies and/or fulfils nutritional claims.
• Cooking instruction development for all new products to ensure that a food to safe to consume and of a high quality for consumers when cooked.
• Assisting the Technical Dept. as and when required including HACCP, ensuring allergen information, food safety legislations, food industry guidelines and retailer COP maintained and up to date on an ongoing basis.
• Visiting retailers and shopping to support sample preparations or customer meeting refreshments as required by the business.
• Liaising with key stakeholders on customer visits for first production if required.
• Responding to retailer requests for samples for testing, Brandbank, photography, exhibitions, awards etc.
• Liaising with different teams to organise cross functional meetings.
• Organising and conducting handover meetings for product launches to site’s key stakeholders.
• Actively engaging blue sky thinking and put forward well-thought-out concepts with clear rationale.
• Supporting the kitchen to deliver customer or development samples.
• Reviewing and maintaining department codes of practice, procedures, and policies.
• Reviewing and maintaining customer & brand codes of practice.
• Improving and developing ways of working i.e. paperwork to be used by the whole team, shelf-life paperwork, nutritional analysis.
• Supporting and looking after the team’s training and development in relation to their role.
• Attending Purchase technical meetings and relay the NPD actions and updates to the rest of the team.
• Understand and work with purchasing and technical teams to review palm oil status in raw materials.
• Reviewing unique raw materials to the business and contribute to ingredient and sku rationalisation initiatives.
• Providing support and assistance to the rest of the team.
• Mentor and carry out appraisal for direct report.
• Deputise for the NPD Manager as required.
• Ensure brand integrity is maintained at all times according to business policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Proven experience in NPD/ food product development or related roles within the food manufacturing industry.
• Strong understanding of HACCP protocols and food safety regulations.
• Knowledge of food production processes, including formulation, processing, and packaging.
• Mechanical knowledge relevant to equipment used in food manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency in basic maths for formulation calculations and data analysis.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A degree or equivalent qualification in Food Science, Food Technology or a related field is preferred but not essential if complemented by relevant experience.

This role offers a dynamic environment where innovation meets safety standards, providing an excellent platform for career progression within the food industry.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

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