Director of R&D | Early Life Nutrition | Kendamil | Boardmember Education Fund | PhD | Executive MBA
£26,000 - £29,000 per annum
About Us
Kendal Nutricare is a rapid‑growth scale‑up disrupting the infant nutrition space through our award‑winning brand Kendamil – the only infant milk made in Britain, proudly used by the British Royal Family and uniquely crafted locally using British full‑cream milk, without the nasties. With 150 employees, we are a Queens’ Award‑winning business and have been ranked by the Financial Times as one of Europe’s 1000 Fastest Growing Companies in 2025.
The Role
We are looking for a passionate and driven Research and Development Technician to join our global R&D team at our Kendal facility. In this role, you will develop innovative new products and reformulate existing ones, balancing efficacy, stability, cost‑effectiveness, and manufacturing feasibility throughout the development process. You will collaborate closely with R&D, Quality, Production, and external partners to identify and pursue new product opportunities, engaging senior stakeholders and working with data, digital tools, and technical documentation.
Responsibilities
* Design, develop and launch infant formula products including spray‑dried powders and ultra‑heat‑treated liquids manufactured at the Kendal facility and co‑manufacturing partners.
* Ensure all product development projects meet regulatory compliance, cost efficiency, production feasibility, and raw material availability.
* Collaborate with process technology and operation managers to ensure products can be manufactured using existing processes or identify suitable new processes.
* Transfer agreed recipes from pilot/trial scale to production scale, producing and controlling relevant documentation.
* Produce technical documentation such as formulation records, pack copies and technical specifications.
* Evaluate competitors’ products.
What You’ll Need
* Strong interest in product development in the food and nutrition sector, especially infant formula.
* Strong scientific knowledge and a degree in Food Science, Nutrition, or related discipline.
* Ability to learn quickly, strong numerical and computer skills, and a logical problem‑solving approach.
* Preferred: 2 years of experience in consumer goods or manufacturing industry.
* Open to occasional travel within Europe to pilot facilities, co‑manufacturer facilities and industry events.
Nice To Have, But Not Essential
* Knowledge of dairy or food processing.
* Experience with recipe development software (e.g., Bestmix).
What You’ll Get From Us
The opportunity to work for the fastest‑growing infant milk brand in Europe, along with a young talented team dedicated to serving thousands of passionate customers. We offer 28 days holiday (incl. bank holidays) plus additional holidays after five years, a pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, Life Assurance at two‑times-basic salary, on‑site parking, subsidised breakfast and childcare vouchers, and a factory located in the beautiful English Lake District.
If this sounds like a role for you, email Emma Murkin, Recruitment/HR Administrator (email omitted) with your CV and a note on why you’re right for the job – we can’t wait to meet you!
#J-18808-Ljbffr