Location : Ballymena
Job Ref: UDF/2025/503
Employment : Full-Time Permanent
Closing Date : 30 September :00 pm
Dale Farm Cooperative is a UK dairy farmer co-operative owned by over 1200 dairy farmers who supply us with fresh milk. Dale Farm has operations throughout the UK and Ireland producing and distributing a wide range of dairy products which it sells across the UK and Ireland as well as exporting to over 45 countries worldwide.
At Dale Farm virtually every career discipline is represented in our workforce, from production, engineering and distribution, to sales & marketing and food technology/quality assurance, to Finance, HR and IT through to general management. Our standards are high and when we recruit we are looking for those with energy and drive, who are keen for responsibility and motivated to succeed with a record of achievement and with the potential to develop as the company grows.
Culture
Our culture is based on setting best in class standards, working to-wards and delivering on committed objectives, striving for constant improvement and involving everyone in the company. We strive to develop our people and harness everyone's contribution to deliver a winning team.
Equal Opportunities
The company is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to a safe, inclusive and relationship based workspace.
Benefits
In return, we offer a high degree of responsibility, plenty of challenge, good opportunities for learning and personal development and rewarding benefit packages, all within a fast moving and results oriented environment.
Dale Farm is a leading dairy company supplying a wide range of branded consumer products and food ingredients into the UK, Irish and international markets.
At Dale Farm, we believe our success is built on our people, and so as we embark on our ambitious transformation journey.
We wish to recruit for the following temporary post based at our Technical Centre in Ballymena:
Food Development Technologist
Reporting to the NPD Manager, you will lead and contribute to a diverse range of product and process development projects. These will include ingredient evaluation, recipe formulation, factory trials and ensuring compliance with quality and legislative standards. A key part of the role will be managing projects from concept through to launch, ensuring timelines, resources, and stakeholder expectations are effectively coordinated to deliver competitive advantage in line with our mission to grow in value.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead and support product and process development initiatives across the business.
* Manage development projects from brief to completion, ensuring clear communication and timely delivery.
* Collaborate cross-functionally with commercial, operational, technical, planning, supply chain, procurement and engineering teams.
* Ensure all developments meet quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.
* Maintain accurate records to capture and codify learnings from trials and development activities.
* Engage with suppliers and customers to support innovation and continuous improvement.
Candidate Profile:
* Degree or equivalent in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline.
* 3-5 years' experience in a food development environment, ideally within the dairy sector.
* Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritise and deliver in a fast-paced environment.
* Creative, self-motivated, and results-oriented.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to engage effectively with internal teams and external partners.
* Strong documentation and analytical skills to support knowledge transfer and continuous improvement.
* Full, clean driving licence and access to a car are essential for travel between sites
What We Offer:
* A dynamic and supportive environment for career and personal development.
* Opportunity to work on innovative projects that shape the future of our product portfolio.
* Competitive benefits package including pension and life assurance.
To learn more about the company and to apply for this position please visit
No unsolicited CVs from Agencies please
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 30th September 2025.
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer