Job Description

Job Overview

The principal requirements are to be responsible for the development and innovation of new products from concept to launch for both retailers and Symington's own brand.

To provide a site-based product development resource based in Consett, supporting the development department with NPD, EPD, Value engineering projects as well as other business or customer related projects

Working closely with retailers and Symington's brand to identify new food trends and design innovative product to meet market trends and customer expectations.

Work as part of a cross functional team and will liaise with Technical, Procurement, Marketing, Category, Account and Commercial managers & Production departments.

Provides invaluable experience within the NPD department, to provide support and assistant to the team as well as NPD manger

Duties

Continuously develop and introduce new and improved products to meet strategic objectives of the business and expectations of the customers

Interpret retailer briefs ensuring innovative and technologically sound product designs are generated in line with customer expectations, operational constraints, and commercial needs of the business.

Market research to investigate and identify customer needs, upcoming trends with aim to take advantage of potential business opportunities.

Carry out a feasibility study with key stakeholders on new product briefs.

Recipe development and reformulation to achieve a product that meets customer expectations and that is financially and technically feasible.

Completing account specific documentation and project work when required (Sample Submission Forms, NPDTT's, QAS's)

Reviewing and approving artwork

Working with new and current suppliers to source new, high quality and cost-effective ingredients and assist Technical in the approval of new suppliers/ingredients by gathering all necessary data.

Shelf-Life testing of new products

Organise and attend factory trials and ensure output of the trial is documented and communicated to the business.

In depth knowledge of thermal processing to aid with development and factory trials.

Nutritional testing of new products to ensure that the nutritional composition of a new product meets the requirements of the retailers' nutritional policies and/or fulfils nutritional claims.

Cooking instruction development for all new products to ensure that a food to safe to consume and of a high quality for consumers when cooked.

Assist the Technical Dept. as and when required including HACCP, ensuring allergen information, food safety legislations, food industry guidelines and retailer COP maintained and up to date on an ongoing basis.

Collect raw materials from the factory when needed and ensure sample deliveries are located.

Visiting retailers and shopping to support sample preparations or customer meeting refreshments as required by the business.

Liaise with key stakeholders on customer visits for first production if required

Respond to retailer requests for samples for testing, Brandbank, photography, exhibitions, awards etc.

Liaise with different teams to organise cross functional meetings.

Organise and conduct handover meeting for product launches to site's key stakeholders.

From time to time provide cover for other team members.

Actively engage blue sky thinking and put forward well-thought-out concepts with clear rationale

Support the kitchen to deliver customer or development samples

Review and maintain department codes of practice, procedures, and policies

Review and maintain customer & brand codes of practice

Improving and developing ways of working i.e. paperwork to be used by the whole team, shelf-life paperwork, nutritional analysis.

Support and look after the team's training and development in relation to their role

Attend Purchase technical meetings and relay the NPD actions and updates to the rest of the team.

Participate in business events and conferences

Understand and work with purchasing and technical teams to review palm oil status in raw materials.

Reviewing unique raw materials to the business and contribute to ingredient and sku rationalisation initiatives.

Ensure equipment and stationery is replenished when needed

Organise team job rota and managing workload

Provide support and assistant to the rest of the team

Mentor and carry out appraisal for direct report

Deputise for NPD Manager as required

Ensure brand integrity is maintained at all times according to business policies and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Advanced knowledge of food science principles and technologies. Experience in product formulation and quality assurance. Strong problem-solving and project management skills. Ability to conduct and interpret market research. Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
If you are a professional with a scientific background and a passion for food, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 32,000.00-36,500.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Cycle to work scheme On-site parking
Work Location: In person