Development Technologist
Location: Lees of Scotland
Shift: Monday to Friday 8.00am-4.30pm
Salary: Competitive
We have an exciting opportunity to join the Development team in the role of Development Technologist at ourLeessite as part of Finsbury Food Group.
Lees stands out for its ability to create confections that are more than just sweets – they’re edible nostalgia. Our iconic snowballs, teacakes, and meringues have woven themselves into the fabric of more than just Scottish culture, becoming go-to treats for both everyday indulgence and celebratory moments.
As a Development Technologist, you will be responsible to develop, trial and validate new and existing products in line with agreed customer briefs, commercial targets and factory capability. The role plays a key part in accurate costings, robust documentation, effective risk management and smooth translation from concept through to factory launch, while supporting innovation, food safety, quality and continuous improvement standards.
This is what you’ll actually do!
* As a Development Technologist, you will drive innovative product development from concept to launch, ensuring compliance with legal, brand and customer standards.
* You will create and manage cost-effective recipes aligned to margin and nutritional targets, producing accurate trial documentation and handover packs. You will be responsible for QAS and arranging customer samples.
* You will plan and coordinate factory trials, capturing key data, managing risks and delivering clear, evidence-based recommendations. Working closely with Technical and cross-functional teams, you will support product validation including shelf-life, microbiological and physical testing.
* You will benchmark products against the market, identify opportunities for improvement and contribute to continuous innovation and process excellence.
* Flexibility in working hours is required to support factory trials and launch activities.
Ideally this is you!
Essential
* Degree preferred Food Science / Technology / Process Engineering or similar degree / HND equivalent or relevant experience
* Strong understanding of product development processes from concept to launch
* Knowledge of factory processes and manufacturability considerations
* Experience generating recipes, costings and managing BoMs
* Ability to manage multiple projects to critical path deadlines
* Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret trial and validation data
* Knowledge of food safety, microbiology and shelf-life validation
* Commercial awareness and understanding of margin targets
* Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
* Passion for food innovation and emerging market trends
* Detail-oriented, organised and solutions-focused
* Valid UK driving license preferred
What’s in it for you!
* Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival!
* Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees
* Death in Service Benefit
* Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families)
* Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform!
* Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral – T&C’s dependent)
* Employee Recognition Awards· Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in-house development course!)
* An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation. Head over to our LinkedIn page to find out more!
Our vision is to be the leading specialty bakery group in the UK, and we want the best people in place to achieve this. Our continued success is built entirely on the talented people who work here, so employee development is important to us because everyone is a valued member of the team, and we want every individual to have the skills and capabilities to achieve both your own personal goals and our business goals. We want good people to join our company, to help our company continue to go from strength to strength. If this sounds like you, please get in contact to learn more!
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