Technical Development Manager

Technical Development Manager – Sweet Bakery
 

Location: Field-based, UK-wide
 

Contract Type: Permanent

About Brenntag UK & Ireland

Brenntag UK & Ireland is part of the global Brenntag Group, the world's leading distributor of chemicals and ingredients. Headquartered in Leeds, we operate across 21 strategic sites in the UK and Ireland, including three sea-fed facilities, and serve over 20,000 customer accounts with the support of a dedicated fleet of 100+ vehicles. As a market leader, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of industrial and specialty chemicals, along with value-added services such as blending, filling, technical support, and regulatory expertise. Our work spans a wide range of industries including life sciences, environmental, and material sciences. Globally, Brenntag connects over 170,000 customers and suppliers through a network of more than 600 sites in 70 countries.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the delivery of annual budgets and monthly/quarterly forecasts.

• Analyse the retail bakery market using a wide range of tools and techniques to develop business and customer plans.

• Implement commercial and development strategies and adapt plans as new information becomes available.

• Develop the retail customer base by identifying growth opportunities and forming new partnerships.

• Provide ongoing technical management and support for a designated customer account portfolio.

• Lead the development of sweet bakery products within assigned accounts.

• Prospect and identify product opportunities across industrial bakery, food manufacturing, and foodservice channels.

• Manage the full new product development process from sample creation at Manchester Test Bakery to customer site trials.

• Ensure all recipe and technical documentation complies with KB processes and customer requirements, in collaboration with the Group Technical function.

• Support the Kluman & Balter Wholesale commercial team in expanding the sweet bakery product range and optimising margins.

• Drive engagement in retail channels by visiting underperforming stores and advising senior retail management.

What We're Looking For:

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Significant technical experience in the retail bakery sector

• Strong understanding of sweet bakery mix and ingredient recipe development

• Experience managing customers in a bakery environment

• Financial acumen including cost and gross profit analysis

• Proven project management experience across product development, customer and supplier relations

• Advanced data analysis skills, particularly in Excel and related systems

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Experience in retail bakery management

• Knowledge of food commodities

What Brenntag Offers:

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonus

• Choice of company car or car allowance

• Flexible location – field-based across the UK

• Opportunities for professional development and career progression

• Inclusive and supportive working environment

Brenntag provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees of all backgrounds and identities to create a workplace where difference is valued because it forms a resilient and more innovative organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religion or belief, parental and family status, or any other protected characteristic. We welcome applications from women, men and non-binary candidates of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Apply today and help shape the future of sweet bakery innovation at Brenntag