Development Technologist

The role of Development Technologist within apetito’s  Product Development Team is an exciting and varied position  which will allows  the successful candidate to contribute to sales growth through their creative  approach to product development,  multi-functional team working  and excellent  relationships with their customers. 

Reporting  to a  Product Development Co-ordinator, on a day to day basis the Development Technologist will work  on projects  to develop and improve  food products.

The key areas of focus include;

New Product Development  in existing  sectors
The successful candidate will be to use their project management, creative and commercial skills to   manage innovative product development  programmes  , ensuring  we deliver competitive advantage .  

Working closely with the Development Chefs ,  they are responsible for managing projects  from the concept stage through to factory trials. They  will be able to  lead cross functional teams to meet project objectives  as well as  having the ability to develop kitchen scale samples, determine nutritional values, cost products, and source raw materials. 

The successful candidate will be committed  and determined , driving  projects forward from concept through to full scale manufacture and launch and building excellent relationships with key customers. 

Product improvement  - e.g. Nutrition and Quality
Due to increasing consumer awareness of nutrition ,  changing markets needs  and  legislation,  nutrition is  an extremely   important area of focus for apetito.    In addition to meeting defined nutritional needs, the successful candidate will also take responsibility for identifying   and delivering product quality improvements through product re-design and raw material improvement.   They will work well with the Quality and Purchasing teams to analyse where improvements can be made and deliver these,  taking into account the needs of all stakeholders. 

Cost reduction
Using their commercial and creative skills, the successful candidate will identify   and assist in the delivery of cost reduction opportunities without compromising product quality.  It will be vital that the Development Technologist demonstrates good communication and team working skills to ensure that cost reduction is carried out according to business needs.

The successful candidate will be self motivated, flexible and conscientious,   with good communication and team working skills.  They will be tenacious and determined with the ability to drive projects forward to successful completion and will work well with others to achieve this. 

This is a great opportunity for a candidate who is  passionate about food and  wants a successful  career in Product Development and  have the desire to truly make their mark on apetito’s success.

Key Result Areas

Deliver  innovative product ranges that meet business , customer and consumer expectations and needs.

Identify & deliver product quality improvements, taking account of the needs of all stakeholders.

Effective management of the  Development programmes assigned by the Product Development Co-ordinator. 

Identify and deliver cost reduction opportunities – without compromising quality.

Support  new market / business development initiatives.

Support the commercial teams  in  building customer relations and creating new business opportunities.
Qualifications: 
Essential 
  • Degree, H.N.D. or equivalent 
• Food related qualification
Desirable  
• Bakery qualifications

• Degree , H.N.D. or equivalent in a food related discipline e.g. Food science, Consumer science & food studies
  
Work Experience: 
Essential 
• Understanding of the Product Development process
• Experience of working with others to achieve demonstrably successful project outcomes
• Experience of working within cross functional teams
• Sound nutrition understanding

Desirable 
• Experience with frozen or chilled food manufacturing
• Experience within pastry products  manufacturing
• Appreciation  of current food legislation
• Experience of  successful multi-functional project management
• Experience of identifying and delivering costs
• Experience of preparing product costings
• Experience of  supplying to retail customers 
 
Candidate: Personal Qualities
    Qualifications: 
Essential  
• Genuine interest in food
• Ability to influence others
• Self motivated
• Methodical / organised
• Confident – able to work with colleagues on all levels
• Genuine team player
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• First class communication skills – both written and verbal
• Drive to challenge and improve
• Motivated by achieving set goals and working within an  area of real interest to them
Desirable
• Conscientious
• Able to plan  short - medium term workload
• Ability to  manage others when required
• Ability to take a strategic view
• Can demonstrate commercial awareness
• Good presentation skills
• Flexible and enjoys change
• Good project management skills
• Able to work under own initiative within a set of agreed parameters
• Good sensory skills
 
Any Special Circumstances: Lives or willing to relocate within reasonable travel distance of work location.

To apply for this vacancy please click on the Apply for this position link below and upload your CV.