Product Developer – Food & Drink Innovation

Are you a hands-on foodie who loves turning concepts into commercially successful products? We’re working with a dynamic and growing food business that’s looking for a confident, customer-facing Product Developer to take ownership of exciting NPD projects from brief through to launch. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment where creativity, collaboration and commercial thinking all come together, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact. 

Role Overview 

This role sits at the heart of innovation, leading the development of new and improved products from initial customer brief through to factory implementation. You’ll be the key link between internal teams and external customers, ensuring products are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality. With a strong focus on collaboration and customer engagement, you’ll bring ideas to life whilst managing the entire development journey. 

Key Accountabilities 

• Lead product development from customer brief to factory implementation 
• Manage critical paths, ensuring on-time, in-budget product launches 
• Contribute to brainstorming sessions and present ideas to stakeholders and customers 
• Input and manage recipes within internal systems, ensuring alignment with cost targets 
• Complete all required product and development submission documentation 
• Source and evaluate new raw materials in line with quality, cost and approval standards 
• Manage NPD processes including spec sign-off, artwork approval, and label compliance 
• Handle technical queries and product specifications 
• Manage raw material and finished product samples, ensuring consistency and timely distribution 
• Lead weekly NPD meetings and support new business enquiries 
• Deliver engaging customer presentations both on-site and externally 
• Act as the main point of contact for customers on development and improvement projects 
• Oversee end-to-end artwork development, ensuring legal compliance and accuracy 
• Collaborate cross-functionally with NPD, manufacturing, quality and supply chain teams 
• Support customer visits and follow up on actions 
• Organise product samples for reviews, submissions and photography 

People Profile 

• Minimum 3 years’ experience within food manufacturing across NPD, project management or similar 
• Experience in a customer-facing role within a food or beverage environment 
• Strong knowledge of food legislation, labelling, artwork and food safety standards 
• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Food Science, Food Technology or related field preferred 
• Passion for food, innovation and emerging trends 
• Creative thinker with the ability to deliver commercially viable solutions 
• Proven project management skills with experience managing critical paths from concept to launch 
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance cost and creativity 
• Highly organised with excellent time management skills 
• Confident communicator, comfortable presenting to customers and stakeholders 
• Strong relationship-building skills across internal and external teams 
• Detail-oriented with a proactive, solutions-focused approach 
• Systems literate with good knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel 
• Experience working with brands or retailers is advantageous 

We regret we can not offer visa sponsorship and can only consider candidates who hold right to work in the UK. 

To apply, please e-mail in strict confidence, with a comprehensive CV, including salary details, quoting the above reference and for the attention of James Constable 

Due to a high volume of responses, we cannot reply to each application individually. If you have not had a response within one week, we are sorry to say your application has not been successful on this occasion.