Job Description

Location:

Bolton

Function:

Free From

Job Reference:

7362

Employment Type:

Permanent / Full Time

Closing Date:

28/11/2025

The Recipe

To develop all new Free From product concepts with the Gluten Free test bakery in Bolton with successful transfer to Newburn Free From site for scaled manufacturing trials. To understand the new product innovation briefs from the Free From Innovation Manger - present ideas and solutions based on product briefs. At same time drive the new product innovation based on competitor activity & NPD and mainstream trends. To maintain product quality of existing products through new innovation of ingredients and processes in conjunction with the FF Technical Manger & 3rd party suppliers.

Based primarily in our GF test bakery in Bolton, you'll work closely with product managers, technologists, and commercial teams. You'll also travel regularly to our Newcastle manufacturing site and be involved in early morning product trials when needed--sometimes as early as 4am, so you'll need to be ready to rise and shine.

Key Accountabilities and Measures

Free From NPD/Innovation Programme: To ensure, in conjunction with the FF Innovation Manager the implementation and management of a robust & agreed NPD programme Establish & specify key elements for product development: To establish parameters for each step of the NPD programme by product recipe, ingredients & process that all meet the strict gluten free and allergen controls. In conjunction with Free From Innovation and Technical Managers - plus procurement team. NPD Improvement: To monitor new product production in bakery or in 3rd party manufacturer, implementing product improvements as necessary. To liaise with procurement department assessing ingredients. Test Bakery: To develop new recipes and finished products within a test environment for consumer taste panels and evaluations, identifying required equipment if necessary for new product. Business Planning: To attend key industry seminars to learn and be informed of new ingredients & processes. Training key individuals in Newburn GF bakery to be product specialists & quality ambassadors. To understand and implement the NPD programme with FF Innovation Manager and assist in definition of budget & expenditure to achieve best quality free from products.

Essential Ingredients

Significant technical management experience, ideally gained within a FMCG environment. Qualifications: relevant Food technologist qualification Industry knowledge: Knowledge and experience of gluten free product development & ingredient functionality is key. Knowledge and experience of gluten free process, plant & technology is critical. Understanding of gluten free competitor landscape is important. Experience of successfully managing the process of moving concept from trial stage to full scale bakery manufacturing Knowledge and experience of risk management & contingency planning for product food safety & quality systems. Project and programme management leadership experience People management experience Financial acumen- Budget management experience; knowledge of working with financial models and measuring profitability. Excellent communication skills: articulate; influential; persuasive; impactful presentation skills. Excellent relationship builder- establishing credibility and building rapport with both internal and external contacts at all levels. IT and PC Knowledge: Has a general awareness of software and what can be achieved using different products;

Extra Dough

At last and by no means least, you will want to know what your breads worth:
A slice of the annual profits (discretionary profit share) Family time is important to us and we know it will be to you so you have the opportunity to purchase up to an extra weeks annual leave. Award winning pension scheme with company contributions Private medical insurance and life assurance Products you will love along with deals and discounts for you and the family through our Extra Dough website Continued investment in your personal development Fully stocked kitchens filled with our delicious products for you to enjoy with your daily brew! * Support for your health and wellbeing, including access to free physiotherapy, 24/7 access to a confidential helpline for practical advice and a comprehensive occupational health service