R&D Technologist

R&D Technologist

Pontefract (Home of Butterkist and popchips Popcorn)

KP Snacks is home to many of the most iconic British snack brands, creating ‘Happy Snacking Moments’ for decades, with great snack designs to meet the ever-changing tastes and expectations of our customers and consumers. We are passionate about our products and our people, encompassing c2,300 colleagues across our seven factory locations and Slough HQ, where we focus our energy across key brands including Hula Hoops, McCoy’s, Pombear, KP Nuts, Butterkist, Tyrrells, popchips and also several retail brands.

We are proud to be part of the Intersnack Group. With an annual turnover of more than €4 billion, the Intersnack Group has grown to become a market leader in savoury snacks, present in over 30 countries across Europe, Australia, New Zealand and beyond, employing more than 14,000 employees and 44 factories globally.

As a Product Development Technologist you will be an integral member of the UK MU Research & Development team, with primary focus to support popcorn brands Butterkist and popchips.

The Role

As an R&D Technologist, you will play a critical role working within cross-functional teams to develop innovative snack products that excite and engage our consumers. With a passion for food, you will be part of an international R&D community, collaborating to deepen our technical knowledge and consumer understanding in order to develop consumer-preferred product designsOn a local UK level you will spend the majority of your time in partnership with our marketing, commercial and supply chain teams and other functions to create products from concept, through manufacture to final commercialisation into the market.Working closely with marketing and line manager you will carry out product development and prototyping at bench, taking winning designs to pilot and factory trial scale.At factory scale, partnering with site operations teams to plan, prepare and execute product development trials & first production runs, ensuring final product designs meet quality, food safe & legal requirement whilst reaching cost & line efficiency targetsWith passion and pride, assist in defining and then creating prototype/trade samples for team and senior stakeholders, to the highest standard and complete accompanied paperwork as required.Your responsibilities will also encompass continual optimisation and enhancement of our product portfolios in terms of food safety & quality & compliance, value engineering and critically, to support our People & Planet goals.Support line manager to progress R&D strategy & capability workstreams including benchmarking, technical tools & templates, competitor understanding and technical knowledge build.When opportunities arise, represent the R&D function when supporting customer and supplier site visits. Exemplify best practice R&D behaviours and processes centred on adherence to stage gate processes, and effective writing and storing of product development activities from bench to full line trials.

Salary : Depending on experience

Some of the benefits you can expect to receive:

· Annual salary review and Bonus scheme

· 25 days holiday with 5-year service additional holiday

· Medicash Health cash plan

· Private Healthcare (dependent on Grade)

· KP Pension Plan – matching contribution stakeholder pension plan (up to 7% of salary) which also includes life assurance and income protection

· MyGym Discounts

· Cancer Care

· Holiday Buy (buy up to an additional 5 days holiday per year)

· Career Break

· Cycle to Work

· Company Sick Pay – once eligible

· Employee Assistance Programme

· Digital GP

· Best Doctors - 2nd medical opinion

· Access to KP4ME - online benefits, discounts, prizes, competitions and information platform with access to mental, physical and financial wellbeing information and tools

We aim to foster a diverse family-like culture where everyone can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. The I&D program focuses on Culture, Leadership, Recruitment, and Equitable Progression. We operate an inclusive recruitment process to attract diverse talent and educate hiring managers on bias. Additionally, we run a comprehensive program addressing various diversity topics to promote an inclusive workplace. Join KP Snacks to be a part of a diverse and inclusive team that values individuality and promotes growth.

We wholeheartedly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position. We are totally committed to creating a workplace where not one person feels they do not belong. Please just let us know if there is anything we can do to make the process more easily accessible for you or if you have any special requirements.

Whichever method you are using to apply, please ensure that your application clearly demonstrates the relevant skills we are looking for, with clear evidence to support.

The Candidate

Food science/ Technology qualification or Bachelors’ degree or equivalent qualifying work experience.Experience of working in a FMCG environment within cross functional teams, particularly key interfaces marketing and supply-chain, displaying great team collaboration and communication skills.A good understanding of food ingredients/food processing and a good understanding of product development processes and commercialisation of consumer good products, ideally fully across concept to launch phases.Passion in food and flavour design, with strong interest in consumer behaviour & insights and brands.Solid foundation of technical/analytical competencies in order to carry out product development with proficiency and accuracy.Foundational knowledge of food safety industry best practice and GMP.Comfortable in an agile, dynamic environment with multiple projects to support.Project management experience desirableEuropean and/or product and packaging experience is beneficial but not critical.Valid driving licence essentialThis role will have a home site but will be expected to travel to and provide support to other sites where necessary ~ primarily Pontefract, Hellaby, Ashby and Teesside.

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