New Product Development (NPD) Technologist
Location: Site-based – Norfolk
Salary: £35,000 – £40,000
Sector: Food Manufacturing
The Role
We are recruiting for a New Product Development Technologist to support the delivery of new product development projects within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
This role will be involved in developing products from concept through to launch, working closely with Technical, Production, and Commercial teams to ensure products are delivered efficiently, compliantly, and to the required quality standards.
You will also support ongoing product improvement initiatives and play a key role in trials, documentation, and factory scale-up.
Key Responsibilities
* Support the development of new products from concept through to launch
* Assist with kitchen trials, product sampling, and ingredient preparation
* Help translate kitchen concepts into factory-ready processes
* Support NPD projects through stage-gate processes
* Prepare and maintain product specifications and documentation
* Conduct sensory (organoleptic) and shelf-life testing
* Assist with factory trials including process and packaging validation
* Support HACCP reviews for new and existing products
* Troubleshoot product, process, and packaging issues where required
* Work closely with Production teams during trials and launches
* Maintain awareness of food trends and competitor products
* Assist with sourcing and evaluating raw materials and packaging
* Ensure compliance with food safety standards and legislation
* Maintain accurate records throughout the development process
* Support continuous improvement and cost-saving initiatives
About You
* Experience within a food manufacturing or NPD environment
* Basic understanding of product development and factory processes
* Awareness of food safety standards and quality requirements
* Experience supporting trials and product testing (desirable)
* Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks
* Able to work collaboratively across departments
* Proactive and hands-on approach to problem solving
* Good communication skills
Desirable
* Exposure to chilled or processed food categories
* Understanding of HACCP principles
* Relevant qualification in food science or a related field