Senior NPD Technologist
The Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a
Senior NPD Technologist
to join a dynamic and growing chilled food manufacturing business supplying the Irish and European retail markets.
This role will see you working on a diverse range of
branded and private label chilled products
, collaborating closely with Technical, Production, Commercial and Sales teams to deliver high-quality, value-added products from concept through to launch.
You will play a key role in innovation and renovation projects, ensuring all new products are technically sound, legally compliant and aligned with customer and business requirements. This is a hands-on role suited to someone with a strong food technology or culinary background who enjoys applying technical knowledge in a commercial environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead
NPD and EPD projects
from concept to launch, working cross-functionally to deliver innovation and renovation initiatives.
* Own and manage projects through the
stage-gate NPD process
, ensuring all milestones, deadlines and critical paths are met.
* Coordinate day-to-day NPD activity, including
line extensions, reformulations and pack size changes
, from brief through to launch.
* Ensure
100% compliance
with all relevant food safety legislation, customer standards and internal quality policies.
* Apply
Lean NPD principles
to drive efficiency and ensure robust project delivery at each stage of development.
* Protect and continuously improve both
product and process
, supporting effective delivery of NPD activities.
* Provide leadership, guidance and training to NPD team members where required.
* Develop a clear understanding of business priorities and contribute to the delivery of
cost-effective product solutions
.
* Provide regular project updates to key stakeholders, including weekly progress reporting.
* Liaise with key retail customers, presenting NPD projects, managing actions and resolving issues as they arise.
* Drive continuous improvement within the Innovation function, including
market and technology research
to develop new product concepts.
Experience & Qualifications
* Third-level qualification in
Food Technology, Food Science or a related discipline
.
* Minimum
3+ years' hands-on experience
within FMCG food manufacturing, ideally in NPD, Technical, Quality or Product Development.
* Strong working knowledge of
BRC, HACCP, allergen management
and food safety systems.
* Experience in
supplier and raw material selection
.
* Proven ability in
product quality optimisation
and continuous improvement.
* Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
* Confident communicator, comfortable working cross-functionally and engaging with retail customers.