Job Description
?? Bodmin - Office-Based role
?? Contract Type - 6 months, Full-time
Are you a process-driven NPD expert who thrives in fast-paced, retailer-facing environments? Do you enjoy bringing exciting, culinary-led products to life from handover through to launch?
We are currently recruiting for a Senior NPI Technologist to join our team on a 6-month fixed-term contract at Bodmin site. This is an exciting opportunity to work on growing, innovative product ranges within our slow cooked and cooked bacon categories — combining culinary creativity with technical excellence.
You'll be part of a passionate, driven and supportive team, playing a key role in delivering successful product launches while ensuring operational excellence on site.
The Role
As Senior NPI Technologist, you will take ownership of the process side of NPD projects — ensuring smooth transition from handover through to successful factory launch.
Working closely with the Site NPD Manager, development team and wider site functions, you will:
* Lead product launches from handover to full production
* Ensure factory capability and operational constraints are considered during development
* Plan, organise and run pre-submission, exploratory and factory trials
* Manage projects through critical paths to meet retailer and internal deadlines
* Conduct pre-production runs (Pre-pro's)
* Collect, analyse and interpret trial data to drive informed decision-making
* Troubleshoot and resolve technical and process challenges
* Set up and improve systems to support efficient launches
* Work closely with Production to ensure seamless scale-up and launch execution
* Maintain direct contact with customers where required
* Contribute to idea generation and innovation pipelines
* Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, quality and consistency
* Depending on your experience, there is also scope to take greater ownership of retailer-facing NPD projects, including customer interaction and project management leadership.
About the Categories
You'll be working across two exciting product areas:
* Slow Cooked – a fast-growing, culinary-led category with strong innovation and premium positioning.
* Cooked Bacon – a specialist, technically demanding category requiring precision, consistency and deep product knowledge.
This is a fantastic opportunity to combine food passion with technical expertise.
What We're Looking For
* Proven experience in NPI/NPD within a food manufacturing environment
* Strong process knowledge and experience running factory trials
* Experience managing critical paths and retailer launch timelines
* Confident analysing data and making evidence-based recommendations
* Experience working closely with production teams in live factory environments
* Strong organisational and project management skills
* Comfortable communicating with internal stakeholders and customers
* Commercial awareness and understanding of factory capability
* You'll be proactive, detail-focused and comfortable taking responsibility for delivering results.
* You'll bring energy, resilience and a practical mindset — someone who sees challenges as opportunities and works collaboratively to find solutions.
Why Join Us?
* Opportunity to work on exciting, high-growth culinary categories
* Exposure to retailer-facing projects and direct customer interaction
* Be part of a passionate, innovative and supportive development team
* Competitive salary
* Opportunity to make a real impact within a short-term contract
* Experience working within a leading European food manufacturing business
* Fast-paced, hands-on environment where your contribution is visible
Ready to Bring Products to Life?
If you're an experienced NPI professional who enjoys taking ownership, working collaboratively and delivering successful product launches in a fast-moving food environment, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and join Pilgrim's Europe to help us turn great ideas into outstanding products.
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