Senior Product Developer Technologist – Innovative Pet Food
Nottingham | £45,000 DOE | Direct-to-Consumer Food Startup
This is a pivotal role in bringing exciting ideas to life, balancing creativity with technical precision in a fast-paced, scale-up environment.
This is a dual-focus role covering both New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD). You’ll work hands on in our test kitchen and production site, while also owning technical projects from brief to launch liaising with internal teams and external suppliers to make it happen.
Your mission is to turn innovative concepts into commercially viable products that delight our customers, all while maintaining the highest technical and nutritional standards.
1. Lead the full product lifecycle, from concept and recipe development through to factory trials and launch.
2. Coordinate cross-functional teams across Marketing, Procurement, Production, and Regulatory to ensure aligned, efficient product development.
3. Balance innovation with technical excellence, create standout formulations that hit the mark on functionality, cost, and nutrition.
4. Own the detail, maintain accurate specs, lead shelf-life testing, sensory evaluations, and ensure full compliance.
5. Drive EPD improvements, continuously refine and optimise existing product lines to meet customer needs and internal goals.
6. Explore new white-label and ingredient opportunities keeping us one step ahead in a competitive market.
7. Troubleshoot complex technical challenges and keep projects moving with a proactive, solution-led mindset.
Qualifications & Skills:
8. 3–5+ years of experience in food product development, ideally with experience in added value meats, thermal processing, or pet food.
9. Excellent technical knowledge, with a proven track record of launching successful products.
10. Strong project management skills – you can handle multiple deadlines without dropping the ball on the detail.
11. Experience working across cross-functional teams – you’re just as comfortable on the factory floor as you are leading a project meeting.
12. A proactive, solutions-driven mindset – you love a challenge and keep momentum going even when it gets messy.
Desirable:
13. Experience working with white-label suppliers.
14. Knowledge of pet food regulations though not essential if you’re quick to learn.
Salary & Benefits
15. £45k salary depending on experience
16. AXA private healthcare (top-tier cover including full cancer treatment and private consultants/hospitals)
17. £250 Learning & Development budget
18. £100 Wellbeing budget
19. 2 weeks remote working abroad per year (where applicable)
20. Quarterly team socials (cocktail making, axe throwing, you name it)
21. Exclusive discounts on our dog food for you, friends and family
22. Birthday off + 28 days holiday
23. Option to sell back a week of unused holiday
24. Lunch & Learn sessions (from dog first aid to personal finance)
25. Super casual dress – no collars unless they’re on the dog
Give me a call on 07810 022392 / 01636 611320…… happy to take calls after 5pm or What’s app me and I’ll call you back!
Email me at jo.botton@ambitionspersonnel.com.
LinkedIn Jo Botton – drop me a message if that's easier.
Don't worry about having an up to date CV, we can sort that out later.
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