Lead Npd Technologist - Shepton Mallet, United Kingdom - Food Buzz Consulting

Description

We are looking for an experienced customer facing NPD technologist with at least 5 years relevant food industry experience looking to join a small and flexible beverage R&D consultancy team and who will work alongside the NPD Manager to ensure timelines and project briefs are managed and efficiently carried out for new product development projects.

You should be a self-starter who is happy to work hands on and autonomously most of the time and who enjoys problem solving and already has a good knowledge of labelling legislation, experience in practical flavour work and some understanding of stabiliser/emulsifier ingredient technology.

You will also contribute to the team with innovative suggestions and inputs of trends, through your own market research, to support customer new product briefs.

• To manage key customers' accounts with NPD and EPD projects from concept to launch
• Create and develop innovative recipes, capitalising on new key trends for both NPD and EPD projects.
• Recipe creation and maintaining all documentation throughout project life cycle recipe & nutritional sheets, costings, legal labels, submission forms, processing details.
• Undertake all tasks associated with product development sample preparation, customer presentation, organoleptic testing, chemical testing, micro review.
• Responsible for ensuring kitchen samples are sent on time.
• Lead and attend tasting panels for projects including benchmarking sessions.
• Attend and lead customer development/innovation days as required.
• Direct communication with key customers, both face to face and written.
• Work to deadlines in a dynamic work environment ensuring that all key milestones for projects are met.
• Work closely with process technologist to organise pilot trials, ensure all raw materials are ordered in advance and provide support at pilot stage.
• Support 1st production at copacking sites
• Deputise for the NPD department in the absence of the NPD Manager e.g attend meetings, support the team etc.

• Manages own accounts, targets, and timescales.
• Complete projects on time.
• Maintains projects documentation.
• Achieves positive relations with customers.
• Supports others in the team to achieve shared objectives.
• Engaging customers through innovative concepts based on current market trends and future opportunities.

• Reporting of accidents and nearmisses
• Safe use of laboratory equipment and compliance with company's safe working instruction.

• Knowledge and some experience of beverage ingredients, stabilising systems, and their functionality.
• Excellent organisation and coordinating skills with the ability to perform well under pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Confident, articulate, and courteous communicator both verbal and written.
• Computer literate in all aspects of Microsoft Office, especially Excel (you must have the ability to create and amend spreadsheets for yourself)
• Accuracy, attention to detail and numerate approach to provide information on time in the right format.
• Competent, adaptable and works on their own initiative.
• Undertakes tasks with enthusiasm and takes pride in their work.
• Innovation and Creativity with an eye on current and future trends.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Problem Solving skills.
• Understanding of Basic HACCP Principles; ideally qualified (Level 3 minimum)
• Knowledge of all relevant ingredient legislation, especially labelling
• UK full driving licence and own transport

• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Flexitime
• Free parking
• Onsite parking

• Flexitime
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

• Shepton Mallet: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

• Bachelor's (required)

• Food industry: 5 years (required)

• Driving Licence (required)