Reporting to the Culinary Innovation Manager, you will support the effective management of critical paths that drive the development and launch of innovative food products from concept through to commercialisation. The role plays a key part in coordinating trials, maintaining accurate documentation, and enabling cross‑functional collaboration with Procurement, Production, Quality, R&D, and the Culinary Innovation Team to ensure projects progress efficiently and successfully.
Responsibilities
Complete finished product specifications and approve artwork in line with critical paths to ensure successful product launches.
Support NPD/NPI projects from concept to launch, including managing and leading cross‑functional Critical Path meetings (minutes, actions, accountability).
Assist with all aspects of product development from initial concept through to launch, ensuring alignment with company and customer requirements.
Collaborate closely with Procurement to identify and source new ingredients and packaging.
Work with R&D, Production, Quality, and the Culinary Innovation Manager to ensure products meet customer expectations.
Support scale‑up of product formulations and manufacturing processes.
Conduct factory trials and testing, including sensory, texture, stability, and transit trials, ensuring accurate data collection and reporting.
Coordinate and manage samples for validation (shelf‑life testing, sensory panels, nutritional submissions, cooking instruction validation).
Maintain trial materials and development kitchen to GMP and food safety standards (FSAI, HACCP).
Troubleshoot production issues and recommend process optimisations.
Document and communicate product specifications, formulation changes, recipes, and packaging requirements.
Complete customer QAS and ensure all customer policies and internal standards are adhered to.
Oversee product costing in conjunction with the Culinary Innovation Manager.
Ensure sufficient product and materials for visits, presentations, and sampling.
Prepare and cook products for internal and customer sampling.
Support and participate in customer site visits, external presentations, and supplier visits as required.
Liaise with suppliers and Procurement to source raw materials needed for development and trials.
Deliver against agreed product development and innovation KPIs.
Work collaboratively with a cross‑function team to achieve on‑time product launches.
Requirements
Food related degree and/or a minimum of 2 years Product Development experience in the food industry
Excellent communicator with strong enthusiasm, drive, and a commitment to achieving targets and continuous improvement within a cross‑functional team.
Demonstrates strong analytical skills and exceptional attention to detail.
Possesses excellent organisational abilities, with the capacity to plan effectively and manage competing workloads.
Confident in representing the company and its values from an NPD perspective, building and maintaining positive relationships at all levels.
A genuine passion for food and a strong alignment with our “Foodie” value
Full clean driving license
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