Process Development Technologist
We have a new opportunity for a Process Development Technologist to join our brilliant NPD team in Middlesbrough!
About The Compleat Food Group
At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good - great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat.
We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own‑label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added‑value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant‑based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice.
With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better.
We are backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners.
Location & Hours
Location: Middlesbrough
Working Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8:30am – 5pm, Friday: 8:30am – 4pm
Salary: £28,000 - £35,000 DOE
Job Purpose
To support in the effective delivery of the NPD and EPD agenda across the group, in‑line with the Compleat Food Group and customer category plans. Follow the Compleat Food Group’s Product Launch Process effectively to deliver timely development of new and existing products in line with The Compleat Food Group’s brand strategy, category pipeline plans and growth aspirations as well as meeting all Compleat brand and/or customer standards. To assist with Continuous Improvement projects under prior agreement.
Key Duties, Responsibilities & Accountabilities
* Deliver the Process / NPD agenda to required cost and within agreed timescales.
* Deliver the scale up of products within site food safety and technical standards.
* Responsible for all stages of critical path of projects with understanding of the implications and effects of deviations.
* Work alongside other Development team members across multiple projects to bring new products and processes to life across multiple accounts.
* Deputize for the Senior Process Technologist at site when required.
Verify – Product Validation & Monitoring
* Lead the Process teams to move product from kitchen to factory, ensuring all aspects of product quality are met and delivers the agreed margin. Pre & post‑trial meetings and pre‑pro meetings.
* Detailed paperwork for every trial & pre‑pro: including recipe amends, process parameters & staff training.
* Ensuring all CCP’s are hit e.g. temperature, Aw & pH.
* Ensuring food safety & product quality is 100% repeatable.
* Shelf‑life & nutritional validation.
* Pack weight validation.
* Organoleptic & sensory validation.
* Organise process trials, ensure objectives are set and communicated to all relevant teams prior to the trials.
* Support the ordering of new ingredients / packaging for trials and assess on arrival & through trials.
* Carry out production trials in line with site standards, fully accountable for these being actioned in the factory, in all areas from make to wrap.
* Gather relevant information from trials including run rates, weights, settings, labour, washouts, data logging etc.
* Work closely with production and planning to determine optimum batch sizes/volumes and dual processing requirements when required.
* Liaise with relevant departments such as engineering where the is a requirement for new kit or where amends may be required.
* Send product for shelf life and nutritional testing from factory trials; liaising with technical department for full sign off.
* Complete storage trials and complete organoleptics.
* Complete re‑heat validation &/or arrange relevant testing against customer code of practice.
* Complete packaging and transit trials with support of packaging technologist when required.
* Liaise with site chefs and development managers for kitchen V factory verification panels (internal & external).
* Highlight any amends from product at handover to management for re‑costing and paperwork amends.
* Accountable for the trial material within the factory ensuring standards are maintained across relevant sites.
Document & Audit Support
* Work to Process Development documents and procedures ensuring the team follows appropriate guidelines and initiating amends where required.
* Support the writing of factory specifications.
* Attend HACCP meetings where required ensuring new raw materials are approved prior to arrival at site/trials commencing.
* Complete relevant documentation including process flow and site‑specific food safety documents, such as SUSSLE.
* Complete trial reports, distribute these accordingly and identify actions prior to next trials.
* Complete nutritional comparisons and review against customer standards and policies with relevant development manager, feeding back to customer as required.
* Collect samples for microbiological analysis and organise relevant testing. Arrange for review and sign off against customer standards and policies at technical department at site &/or group.
* Complete relevant paperwork following post‑trial data analysis and ensure sign off by relevant departments.
* Gather information for document control approval.
* Support the writing of QAS and sign off at site.
* Ensure electronic and paper copies of products are organised and complete alongside relevant checklist in line with site standards. Initiate these being signed off by management to audit standard.
* Support site with artwork sign off.
Launch & Handover
* Support PPR meeting and support running of the trial making amends where required to ensure product and factory are launch ready.
* Support launch meetings and paperwork and ensure all relevant paperwork is complete.
* Efficient hand over of product at pre‑production to Technical, Production teams & all departments.
* Check off BOM v recipe v costings prior to launch.
* Ensure all production shifts have been adequately trained to run the products, if not raise with management.
* Arrange & support in collection and sort of production samples to go to customers in line within relevant codes of practice.
* Review products once launched and follow up any process/ ingredient issues.
Post‑Launch Review & Continuous Improvement
* Support post‑launch review.
* Support Technical teams, ongoing assessment of product quality through internal benchmarking against QAS sessions.
* Work with team to provide solutions to solve manufacturing problems on new & existing lines.
* Support feeding into the costing model with process knowledge, wastage figures and trial results to deliver accurate costings via the process development manager.
* Support driving continuous improvements and identify cost savings in reducing production costs / new ideas and ingredient potential to maximise cost savings and efficiency to business.
* Support value engineering of ingredients / packaging / processes.
* Support in liaising with suppliers to provide process and ingredient improvement.
Communication, Team Working & Standards
* Demonstrate ability to communicate with various teams as required by manager.
* Work to Development documents and procedures.
* Support in sending samples out for customer requests.
* Support other sites as and when required.
* Appropriate communication (written and verbal) to teams and team members.
* To work as part of a team and not by customer head. Projects may be split so working on multi‑customers.
* To work alongside the rest of the development team and be flexible in roles where required across the team.
* Attend relevant meetings, to communicate relevant information regarding trials / process improvement.
* Support the organising of customer visits.
* Support benchmarking panels.
Health and Safety
* Follow all H&S requirements during kitchen and process development work.
* Promote safe working across site and advise immediately on unsafe work practices.
General
* General office duties.
* May be required to carry out projects within the Compleat Food Group which may require time spent at other sites.
Due to the nature of the role, you may be required to cover weekends and night shifts.
Experience
* HND/Degree in food based/manufacturing subject (desirable).
* Food manufacturing experience within an FMCG environment.
* HACCP / Food Safety Training/basic knowledge.
Key Skills
* Planning, organization and project management.
* Communicating at different levels of seniority.
* Presentation skills.
* Identifying solutions.
* Basic computing skills.
Qualities
* A passion for food - Product tasting is required across multiple categories.
* Problem solving.
* Enthusiasm to learn and grow.
* Self‑Motivated.
* Flexible attitude.
Why Join Us?
At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing and career growth:
Financial & Lifestyle Benefits
* Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension.
* 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra.
* Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform.
* Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in‑store.
* Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand.
* EV charging points - available at selected sites.
Health & Wellbeing
* 24/7 access to Grocery Aid for free financial, emotional, and practical support.
* Physical Wellbeing Hub - free on‑demand exercise classes, gym discounts.
* Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes.
* Online wellbeing support - from mindfulness to lifestyle resources.
* Financial wellbeing tools - including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid.
Career Growth & Development
* Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS).
* Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role.
* Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations.
* Company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey.
* Recognition through Club Compleat rewards.
Community & Culture
* 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you.
* Charity initiatives and fundraising events.
* Team socials to connect and celebrate together.
* Employee networks & support groups - including Women @ Compleat.
* New baby gift for new parents.
The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We welcome diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace.
We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal opportunity’s employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed.
Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process.
Recruitment Agencies:
We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition team.
If you would be interested in working with us please send a message to recruitment@compleatfood.com and should we have any roles we need additional support with we will reach out to you.
#J-18808-Ljbffr