Job Description
Senior Development Technologist
Fife, Scotland (On-site)
Salary: Competitive & benefits
Vickerstock are working in partnership with a global seafood business to recruit a Senior Development Technologist for their site in Fife.
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced food professional to take ownership of complex product launches across fresh, smoked and added-value seafood categories, working closely with major UK retailers.
You will play a pivotal role in taking products from concept handover through to full-scale manufacture, ensuring processes are robust, efficient and fully compliant within a highly regulated food production environment.
Your new role:
Reporting to the Process Development Manager, you will lead the coordination and execution of new and modified product launches, acting as a key technical contact across cross-functional teams and retail customers.
This role carries a higher level of autonomy and responsibility, including regular retailer interaction and occasional deputising for the Process Development Manager.
Key responsibilities will include:
* Leading preparation and coordination of new and revised product launches.
* Planning, managing and executing production trials to ensure scalability, repeatability and food safety compliance.
* Identifying and resolving potential process or production issues ahead of launch.
* Coordinating post-trial reviews, sampling and continuous improvement actions.
* Ensuring accurate and complete data capture to support commercial costings and profitability.
* Working closely with Technical, Production, Engineering and Finance teams to develop robust specifications and ensure accurate ERP system setup.
* Managing artwork approval and certification requirements for on-pack claims within your product portfolio.
* Supporting implementation of new processes or machinery alongside engineering teams.
* Maintaining regular contact with retailer technologists and supporting Gate approval processes.
* Conducting store visits, product bench marking and customer/supplier visits where required.
The role is primarily office hours; however, flexibility is required to support evening or weekend trials when necessary.
What you’ll need to succeed:
* Degree or diploma in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology or related discipline.
* Proven experience in a similar Development or Senior Development role within food manufacturing (seafood or protein experience advantageous).
* Strong understanding of food processing, retailer standards and regulatory frameworks.
* Demonstrable experience leading factory trials and successful product launches.
* Experience working directly with retailer technologists.
* Strong commercial awareness and understanding of product costings.
* Excellent organisational skills with high attention to detail.
* Ability to manage multiple projects and influence cross-functional teams.
Desirable:
* Food Safety qualification (REHIS or equivalent).
* Experience supporting capital projects or new process implementation.
* Experience within a major retail-facing manufacturing environment.
What you’ll receive:
* Competitive salary.
* Benefits package.
* Opportunity to work within a global seafood business with strong retail partnerships.
* High level of autonomy and ownership across product launches.
* Genuine opportunity to progress within a growing and forward-thinking organisation.
To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity, please send an up-to-date CV via the link provided or contact Maria Murphy, Principal Recruitment Consultant at Vickerstock on 0161 5075 448.