Lead Npd Technologist

We are looking for an experienced customer facing NPD technologist with at least 5 years relevant food industry experience looking to join a small and flexible beverage R&D consultancy team and who will work alongside the NPD Manager to ensure timelines and project briefs are managed and efficiently carried out for new product development projects. You should be a self-starter who is happy to work hands on and autonomously most of the time and who enjoys problem solving and already has a good knowledge of labelling legislation, experience in practical flavour work and some understanding of stabiliser/emulsifier ingredient technology. You will also contribute to the team with innovative suggestions and inputs of trends, through your own market research, to support customer new product briefs.

**Your role within the company**:

- To manage key customers’ accounts with NPD and EPD projects from concept to launch
- Create and develop innovative recipes, capitalising on new key trends for both NPD and EPD projects.
- Recipe creation and maintaining all documentation throughout project life cycle - recipe & nutritional sheets, costings, legal labels, submission forms, processing details.
- Undertake all tasks associated with product development - sample preparation, customer presentation, organoleptic testing, chemical testing, micro review.
- Responsible for ensuring kitchen samples are sent on time.
- Lead and attend tasting panels for projects including benchmarking sessions.
- Attend and lead customer development/innovation days as required.
- Direct communication with key customers, both face to face and written.
- Work to deadlines in a dynamic work environment ensuring that all key milestones for projects are met.
- Work closely with process technologist to organise pilot trials, ensure all raw materials are ordered in advance and provide support at pilot stage.
- Support 1st production at co-packing sites
- Deputise for the NPD department in the absence of the NPD Manager e.g attend meetings, support the team etc.

**Key performance indicators**:

- Manages own accounts, targets, and timescales.
- Complete projects on time.
- Maintains projects documentation.
- Achieves positive relations with customers.
- Supports others in the team to achieve shared objectives.
- Engaging customers through innovative concepts based on current market trends and future opportunities.

**Health & Safety compliance**:

- Reporting of accidents and near-misses
- Safe use of laboratory equipment and compliance with company's safe working instruction.

**Experience, Skills & Knowledge**:

- Knowledge and some experience of beverage ingredients, stabilising systems, and their functionality.
- Excellent organisation and coordinating skills with the ability to perform well under pressure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Confident, articulate, and courteous communicator both verbal and written.
- Computer literate in all aspects of Microsoft Office, especially Excel (you must have the ability to create and amend spreadsheets for yourself)
- Accuracy, attention to detail and numerate approach to provide information on time in the right format.
- Competent, adaptable and works on their own initiative.
- Undertakes tasks with enthusiasm and takes pride in their work.
- Innovation and Creativity with an eye on current and future trends.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Problem Solving skills.
- Understanding of Basic HACCP Principles; ideally qualified (Level 3 minimum)
- Knowledge of all relevant ingredient legislation, especially labelling
- UK full driving licence and own transport

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

**Salary**: £30,000.00-£35,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Flexitime
- Free parking
- On-site parking

Schedule:

- Flexitime
- Monday to Friday
- No weekends

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Shepton Mallet: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

**Education**:

- Bachelor's (required)

**Experience**:

- Food industry: 5 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

- Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: FB003IND