Job Description

Ready to craft the next big cheese hit?

Join our passionate team at

The Ilchester Cheese Co.

as a

Product Development Technologist

and help us bring bold, delicious, and innovative new creations to life!

Purpose of the role:

Ensuring that PD projects are effectively met within the correct timelines across branded, own label and Food Service sectors. Conduct research into new ingredients and concepts, bringing them to life through sample creation and factory trials, and seeing product progression through the gate process to ensure successful launch.

Responsibilities

Innovation

Support in the ideation and creation of new products from concept, kitchen development through to full scale launch for UK retail, Export and Food Service & B2B customers for both branded and own label portfolio. Research trends and market disruptions for inspiration. Ensure developmental standards are met in line with internal policies, regulatory requirements & customer codes of practice. Test and evaluate new raw materials with suppliers to meet briefs. Contribute to the long-term PD strategy through blue sky innovation and supplier engagement. Contribute to customer presentations to support innovation strategy.

Kitchen Concept through to Factory Upscale

Bringing ideas to life on flavour and formats, ensuring consideration for allergens. Request costs and specifications for new raw materials, supporting the costing process and ensuring kitchen recipe is approved in a timely manner. Prepare necessary documentation and samples, attending product submission meetings Manage allocated tasks within the PD process, meeting project timelines. Ensure the PD tracker and comments are captured and completed after each panel; and raise any concern to the PD Manager Maintain ingredient stock, ensuring freshness, quality, correct labelling, and rotation. Coordinate and maintain sample stock for kitchen and factory trials, monitoring quality and allergen labelling. Validate costings prior to submission to the finance team Organise, execute, and evaluate factory trials, ensuring thorough product testing prior to launch with relevant teams in attendance. Coordinating shelf life and nutrition samples for testing. Attend packing trials at co-packers and oversee first production run if required. Complete Draft QAS for each project in a timely manner, reviewing samples prior to customer submission. Populate handover documents and lead these meeting to the wider business. Complete submission forms as required. Accurately upload project details onto Qpulse/M3. and creation of factory recipes on q pulse Complete pH & Aw testing on all concepts progressing to customer tasting Support with product lunches for customers and suppliers. Prepare and package product samples as required. Attend and support meetings as directed by the PD Manager.

Packaging

Lead packaging innovation in collaboration with our packaging supplies, effectively creating briefs and managing the relationship, whilst driving cost effective creative solutions for our brands and own label within the required timelines.

Food Safety & Audit Protocol

Ensure HACCP procedures are followed for all raw materials and factory trials. Support and attend Gate 2.5 meetings alongside the Process Technologist, ensuring technical product approval ahead of launch, pre-launch meetings, and first production runs at co-packers Ensuring PD areas and product files are kept in audit ready state, including full traceability of development process.

Market Understanding/Research:

Attend food exhibitions to stay informed with industry developments. Conduct benchmarking sessions if required.

Background and Profile

Essential:

Degree or equivalent in Food Technology, Food Science or Nutrition. Minimum 2 years' experience as Product Development Technologist (or similar role) in FMCG food manufacturing business. Experience in creative ideas / concepts and bringing these to life Familiar with conducting factory trials In interest or experience with packaging innovation, creating briefs and working closely with packaging suppliers.
Desirable:

Knowledge of PD Gate Process Dairy/cheese chilled industry experience Experience of developing products for Export markets and branded portfolios and UK retail Own Label.
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 32,000.00-35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Employee discount Enhanced maternity leave Enhanced paternity leave Free parking Life insurance On-site parking Private medical insurance
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 08/08/2025