Application Specialist - Bread Development

Application Specialist in Bread Development

Location: Oxfordshire

Salary: £35-55k (dependent on experience)

Are you passionate about elevating bakery innovation? Do you thrive at the intersection of product development, technical expertise, and customer collaboration? This is an exciting opportunity to join a leading bakery solutions manufacturer as an Application Specialist - Bread Development, playing a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of bread products for customers across the UK and beyond.

In this influential role, you'll work closely with technical applications, commercial teams, and cross‑functional departments to deliver high‑impact projects through a structured stage‑and‑gate development process. If you love using science, creativity, and problem‑solving to unlock product potential, this role is for you.

What You'll Be Doing

Driving Innovation & Performance

• Lead product development projects from concept to launch.
• Deliver product, process, and cost improvements to support customer needs and drive profitable growth.
• Act as a central point of expertise for international sister companies, providing technical support to local bread development teams.

Technical Bread Development

• Apply advanced knowledge of enzymes, emulsifiers, and fermented ingredients to create high‑performing bakery solutions.
• Develop products tailored for industrial bread manufacturing environments.
• Identify product gaps and create concepts that set new standards for functionality and efficiency.

Partnering for Success

• Build strong relationships with key ingredient suppliers to stay ahead of market innovation.
• Collaborate with suppliers and Group Purchasing to secure and trial new ingredient technologies.
• Represent NPD in customer meetings, technical reviews, and supplier discussions.

Delivering Excellence

• Ensure all data, specifications, and formulations are accurate and "right first time."
• Submit precise product costings and work closely with Quality and Production teams to ensure smooth product launches.
• Support investigations into product issues or customer complaints as part of cross‑functional teams.
• Contribute to a positive Health & Safety culture within the wider team.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate will be a proactive, hands‑on problem‑solver who thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative technical environment.

You'll excel in this role if you:

• Build strong, trust‑based relationships across teams, suppliers, and customers.
• Adapt your communication style to suit technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Bring energy, curiosity, and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Enjoy tackling challenges and broadening your technical capabilities.
• Are highly organised, prioritising effectively to deliver on time and to a high standard.

Skills & Experience

• Degree in Food Science or related discipline
• Around 3- 5 years' experience in the baking industry
• Proven competence in formulating with fermented products
• Demonstrable project management experience
• Strong computer literacy and system competence
• Clear, confident presentation and communication skills
• Full UK driving licence (Essential)

If this role looks of interest, please click apply and I will be in touch with more details!