This role could suit a Product Development Technologist looking for their next challenge and an opportunity to work within an NPD team of chefs, technologists and dietitians with a track record of delivering market leading food innovation.
You would lead and support projects from ideation through to launch and manage them through our stage-gate development process, applying problem solving skills to overcome challenges and delivering food products that create real competitive advantage.
This exciting role will support sales growth through a customer focused, creative and proactive approach to product development and effective project management.
You must have a passion for great food and the drive for continual improvement of existing meals and desserts.
apetito is the UK’s leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors serving more than 1,300 care homes, health care and education settings.
Our meals are expertly crafted by our dieticians and chefs, and then frozen to lock in the goodness.
Wiltshire Farm Foods, our sister company, is the UK’s largest ready meal supplier cooking and delivering over 330 different delicious frozen ready meals across the UK.
New Product Development – Managing product development projects at all stages of the development process from idea generation stage through to launch whilst ensuring compliance with our development process and company policies.
Innovation - You will proactively identify new opportunities and innovations to improve our food offering, 'sell in' ideas to the business teams and manage agreed projects through to launch to create competitive advantage and deliver market leading solutions.
Nutrition and Quality - You will need to work closely with our Dietitians, Chefs and Manufacturing, Category management and Purchasing teams to identify and deliver improvement opportunities, taking into consideration the needs of all stakeholders.
Cost reduction - You will identify and assist in the delivery of cost reduction opportunities whilst ensuring product quality is never compromised.
Team support - You will deputise for your line Manager, providing team leadership and project management support as required.
A proven track record of success in food product development
Experience of working with others to achieve successful project outcomes
Experience of successful project management
A passion for great food
Tenacious with the ability to drive projects forward to successful completion
Creative and innovative
Experience within frozen or chilled food manufacturing
Demonstrate commercial awareness
Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer
25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays
Option to purchase up to 5 additional days annual leave per year
Discretionary annual bonus scheme
Pension scheme - employer matched contributions up to 4%
Life assurance scheme worth at least 1x annual salary
Subsidised canteen
Free parking
Free turkey or voucher at Christmas
apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts
We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040.
We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.