Npd Process Technologist

**Job Summary**

We have an exciting opportunity for a NPD Process Technologist to join our team at Florette in Lichfield. In this busy role, you'll support of the development of new and modified products for both the Florette brand and own label products, ensuring seamless integration into the factory. You'll operate at the heart of our NPD team, reporting straight to the Head of Florette NPD, and will actively be involved in the development of Chilled/Short shelf life products, Shelf life analysis, Product sampling & Factory Trials.

Working hours: Full time, Mon-Fri, 37.5 hours a week

**About Us**

Agrial Fresh Produce grows, processes and distributes pre-packed, ready to eat, fresh salad bags and bowls to some of the UK's well-known retailers and restaurants. We have an enviable client base, supplying household names and blue-chip customers and have an unwavering a focus on providing the highest quality products and levels of service. The business is more recognisable in the UK by its Florette salad brand, and we are one of the UK’s leading producers in the industry. We have a recipe for success through our EPIC values and working together as one team. Owned by the French co-operative group Agrial, our UK operations are formed of three factory sites and a farming operation. We’re a responsible, ethically led business focussed on operating our business in a sustainable and ethical manner.

**Main Responsibilities**
- Support product development activities, following the established procedure within deadlines to include NPD, EPD & Innovation projects.
- Manage trials, shelf life, samples and industrial validations for new products, working in cooperation with factory departments and key stakeholders.
- Manage new raw material trials through the factory process, reporting results following shelf life and product evaluation.
- Provide guidance & support to NPD team on new factory processes and process capability.
- Support and manage the transition of new products to the factory / industrial scale.

**Skills and Experience Required**
- Minimum of one year’s experience working within an NPD department with experience of the development of Chilled/Short shelf life products, Shelf life analysis, Product sampling & Factory Trials.
- Ideally educated to HND/degree level in a Food Science/ Technology or a related discipline.
- Experience in having worked in process or factory-based development projects. Experience in food/drink production.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with IT experience. Willing and capable to learn new skills.

**What You Will Get In Return**

A competitive salary, inclusion in our annual bonus scheme and a range of employee benefits you’d expect from a market leading business, including:

- Life Assurance - three times your basic salary paid to your nominated beneficiary.
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme: providing a Remote GP service along with a 24/7 helpline for financial, legal, medical and life issues.
- A flexible & competitive annual leave entitlement that increases with service and offers an option to purchase additional holiday.
- Personalised training and development.
- Employee discount and salary finance schemes.
- Recognition awards, an annual volunteering day and a free staff transport service*

*Free Staff Transport Service covering: Lichfield, Tamworth, Burton on Trent, Cannock, Rugeley, Burntwood.

**Next Steps**

It’s an exciting time to join our business With an exciting NPD pipeline we’re looking for positive and innovative people to join our passionate, professional team. If you have the skills and experience we are looking for, and want a new challenge in a company experiencing success we would love for you to join us on our journey

Note to recruitment agencies: this role is being handled by the company HR team and no agency contact is required.

Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd is an Equal Opportunities employer. In addition, as part of Responsible Recruitment, Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd believes in the Employer Pay Principle. No worker should pay for a job - the costs of recruitment should be borne not by the worker but by the employer.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: 243540INDL