Join Our team as a Development Chef / Senior NPD Technologist in our New Product Development Team!
Due to continued business growth, we have an exciting opportunity for an Experienced Development Chef / NPD Technologist to join our New Product Development team based in Bodmin. This is a hands-on, creative role at the heart of our food innovation, ideal for someone passionate about product development, quality food, and working collaboratively in a fast-paced FMCG environment.
Working closely with the NPD Manager, NPD Assistant Manager and wider cross-functional teams, you will be involved in developing and launching new products, as well as enhancing our existing range, ensuring everything we produce meets our quality, safety, and customer expectations.
Hours of work: 08:00 until 16:00
Days of work: Monday to Friday
Salary - £40,000 to £45,000 depending on qualifications and Experience
Why Join Us?
By joining our growing NPD team, you will play a key role in shaping products enjoyed by customers across the UK. We are a values-led business built on Quality, Friendliness, Customer Focus, Honesty, and Passion, and we are proud of our heritage and our people.
We offer a supportive working environment where ideas are encouraged, development is supported, and careers can grow alongside the business.
If you’re a creative and driven Development Chef / NPD Technologist looking for your next opportunity in a growing food business, we’d love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
* Product Development
Manage new and existing product development projects from concept through to launch.
Develop, refine, and trial recipes to deliver high-quality, innovative products.
Ensure products align with company strategy, customer briefs, and market trends.
* Trials and Scale-Up
Plan and lead kitchen trials, factory trials, and first productions as required.
Support product scale-up, ensuring smooth transition from development to production.
Work closely with Operations and Technical teams to ensure manufacturability and consistency.
* Quality, Food Safety and Compliance
Ensure all products comply with food safety, legal, customer, and internal quality standards.
Maintain accurate NPD documentation, specifications, and trial records.
Follow the NPD Quality Assurance system and support audit activity where required.
* Collaboration and Customer Focus
Work cross-functionally with Technical, Commercial, Operations, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams.
* Support customer presentations, tastings, and product reviews when required.
Build strong working relationships with customers and suppliers.
* Continuous Improvement
Contribute to improving NPD processes, ways of working, and product performance.
Support cost control, value engineering, and margin awareness throughout development.
* Willingness and flexibility to travel within the UK and, where required, internationally to support customer visits, supplier meetings, product trials, and site-based project activity.
Essential Requirements
* Proven experience delivering end‑to‑end product development, from concept through to launch
* Strong food development capability, including recipe formulation and hands‑on culinary skills
* Sound knowledge of food manufacturing processes, food safety standards, allergens, and HACCP principles
* Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong organisational skills and attention to detail
* Full Drivers UK Licence
* Confidence working cross‑functionally with Technical, Operations, and Commercial teams
* Strong written and verbal communication skills with a proactive, solutions‑focused approach
* A genuine passion for food, quality, and product excellence
Desirable Requirements
* Experience developing products within chilled, frozen, bakery, ready meals, or protein‑based categories
* Experience working within an FMCG or food manufacturing environment
* Experience working with major UK retailers or foodservice customers
* Practical experience of factory trials, scale‑up, or pilot plant activity
* Formal culinary or food‑related qualifications, with additional food safety training
Even Better Bits! (PROPER PERKS)
* Free pasties and pastries every day
* Weekly free fruit
* Subsidised staff canteen
* Monthly colleague treats
* Regular staff BBQs
* Christmas celebrations and goodies
* Free use of spa & golf facilities in St Austell
* Birthday meal in the canteen
* Mental Health First Aiders
* Company-funded Health Cash Plan
* Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 helpline)
* Death in Service plan
* Employment anniversary cash awards
* £500 colleague referral bonuses
* Huge discounts on pasties, pastries, cakes, and tarts!
* Local business discounts
* Excellent career development opportunities
* Strong internal communication, newsletters, suggestion boxes, etc.
If you’re a team player with a positive can‑do attitude and want to be part of our friendly and rapidly growing company, apply today!
Closing Date: Closing Date: 14 June 2026, Please note that this vacancy may close early if we receive a high number of applications, so early submission is encouraged.