Job Description

Application Specialist - permanent, full-time

Bicester, Oxfordshire

About us

British Bakels Ltd is a specialist provider of high-quality baking ingredients to organisations throughout the UK and beyond. Part of the wider Bakels Group of companies employing over 3000 employees worldwide, British Bakels is a successful, dynamic and friendly business with a reputation for high quality products and exceptional customer service.

As a result of our continued growth, we are looking for a Application Specialist to help us drive and maintain our high standards and ensure we can continue to meet and exceed our customers' expectations.

About the role

The position will be based in Bicester, with travel to suppliers and customers when required.

The role works closely with the technical application and commercial teams, alongside the other business departments to deliver projects which exceed customer expectations followAping the British Bakels stage & gate process.

In line with the strategy for British Bakels to exist as a joint partner in the "Centre of Competence for bread improvers" for the Bakels Group, this role will provide a point of contact for sister companies to support their local development team in bread development. It will also provide a liaison between our key suppliers and local development teams in bringing innovation to market.

Working hours - days (37.5 hours per week)

Responsibilities will include:

Continually improves the service New Product Development (NPD) provides to internal and external customers by driving product, process, efficiency and cost improvements, ultimately increasing sales through new product development and launches.*
Delivery of product development projects.*
To increase technical expertise that can be used to deliver solutions to customer requests.*
To develop and maintain links with key ingredient suppliers and to become embedded within their teams so that Bakels is aware of the latest innovation and developments.*
Work with key suppliers and Group Purchasing to source and investigate new ingredient technologies and, if of use, communicate this to the wider Bakels development teams.*
Awareness of product 'gaps' and developing products and product technology to suit.*
Follow the Bakels stage & gate process to deliver projects in a thorough and controlled manner. Ensure accurate data is used and working closely with all departments to ensure product launches are 'right first time'.*
Prioritising projects such that the most valuable projects are delivered.*
Working as part of the NPD team as well as cross functional teams to use the best business resources to achieve successful results, including the investigation of customer complaints or product issues.*
Representing Bakels NPD in front of key customers and suppliers.*
Ensuring that accurate data is used at launch, including the submission of product costings and working closely with the Quality and Production teams to ensure that products are right at launch.*
To work collaboratively with the wider Health & Safety team and to strive to improve the level of focus on Health & Safety in the business.*

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have to have the ability to develop and maintain strong, collaborative cross-functional relationships driving accountability within teams and across stakeholders including customers, suppliers and external agencies , be empathetic and adapts communication styles, both written and verbal, to suit the environment and stakeholders, have a continuous improvement, problem solving attitude, look forward to and enjoy a challenge, plan, prepare and prioritise effectively to deliver results.

Specific requirements include:

- Food Science related degree

- 5 years' Baking Industry experience

- Competence in formulating with fermented products

- Demonstrable Project management competence

- Computer and system literacy

- Presentation skills & ability to convey messaging

- Full UK Driving Licence

You must also have the right to work in the UK and live within easy commuting distance of Bicester, Oxfordshire. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visa applications for this role.

Our staff benefits

We offer a generous range of benefits including:

- a competitive salary of 35-45k p.a. depending on experience

- 25 days' annual holiday, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days

- An additional day off for your birthday

- 10% employer pension contribution with optional salary sacrifice scheme

- Occupational sickness benefits

- Life assurance benefit

- Long Service awards

- Enhanced maternity/paternity pay

- Employee Assistance Programme with wellbeing portal

- Employee forum with regular social and charity events

- Healthcare scheme providing cashback on health-related expenditure(annual cap)
- Cycle Purchase scheme

- Tastecard scheme offering discounted food, retail and entertainment

- Staff canteen with vending machines, fridges, toasters and free tea/coffee

- Free on-site parking

We are an equal opportunities employer who values diversity, dedication and teamwork.

If you think you would be a good fit for this role, please apply today! We look forward to receiving your application.

Please note: Due to the high response received, we will only contact candidates that have been successfully selected. Therefore, if you have not heard back from us in 14 days, it means you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. Thank you for your interest!

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 35,000.00-45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Canteen Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Enhanced maternity leave Enhanced paternity leave Free parking Health & wellbeing programme Life insurance On-site parking Referral programme Sick pay
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 15/08/2025
Expected start date: 08/09/2025