Senior Food Product Developer

Major Recruitment is seeking an experienced Senior New Product Developer to join our client's esteemed team in Leeds on a permanent basis. Established in 1827, our client boasts a remarkable history in the food industry, seamlessly blending tradition with cutting-edge practices.They manufacture multiple well known brands and supply to major supermarkets. As a family-run business, they have cultivated a supportive and collaborative work culture, making this an ideal opportunity for those who value both innovation and heritage.

As a Senior Culinary Innovator, you will lead the design and development of complex food products, ensuring scalability, performance, and quality of product formulations while mentoring junior team members and acting as a key technical resource.

What's in it for you?

• Holiday purchase scheme
• Permanent position
• Monday - Friday day shift, no weekends
• Salary dependent on experience
• Canteen Facilities
• Christmas raffle
• Comprehensive PPE provided.
• Training for career progression
• Free parking

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead the Design and Development of Complex Food Products: Ensure scalability, performance, and quality of product formulations while designing and implementing innovative food products and processes.
• Mentor Junior Innovators: Facilitate their growth and act as a key technical and innovative resource within the team. Participate in the recruitment process for new innovators.
• Oversee the Quality of Product Formulations: Enforce best practices and collaborate with stakeholders to understand business requirements. Conduct thorough reviews of formulations and suggest improvements.
• Provide Technical Guidance and Support: Offer support to team members, participate in the recruitment process, and provide leadership for projects, ensuring success rates in timelines and budget adherence.

Performance Measures:

• Project Leadership Success Rate: Percentage of projects led that meet timelines and budget.
• Mentorship Effectiveness: Number of junior innovators mentored and their subsequent performance improvements.
• Innovation Implementation Rate: Percentage of new ideas successfully implemented in product development.
• Quality Improvement: Reduction in the number of quality challenges or recalls in developed products.
• Stakeholder Satisfaction: Satisfaction ratings from cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Strong Leadership and Mentoring Skills: Ability to guide and develop team members effectively.
• Deep Technical Knowledge in Food Science and Product Development: Expertise in food chemistry, microbiology, and nutrition.
• Innovative Thinking: Ability to drive new product ideas and project management skills.
• Excellent Collaboration and Communication Abilities: Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Key Competencies and Behaviours

Advanced Food Science: Deep understanding of food science principles, including food chemistry, microbiology, and nutrition. Extensive knowledge of food safety standards and regulatory requirements. Enthusiastic about learning and exploring new ideas.

Product Formulation Expertise: Proficiency in developing and refining complex food product formulations. Ability to balance flavors, textures, and nutritional content in product development.

Problem Solving: Strong analytical abilities to troubleshoot and resolve issues in product development. Capability to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions to inform product improvements.

Project Management: Advanced skills in planning, managing, and executing projects from concept to completion. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and ensure timely delivery.

Quality Assurance: In-depth knowledge of quality control processes and the ability to implement them effectively. Ensure all products meet high safety and quality standards.

Market Research and Consumer Insights: Ability to conduct and interpret market research to guide product development. Understanding of consumer trends and the competitive landscape.

Innovation and Creativity: Strong aptitude for generating innovative ideas and solutions. Willingness to explore new approaches and experiment with novel ingredients and techniques.

Leadership and Mentorship: Experience in leading teams and mentoring junior team members. Ability to inspire and guide others towards achieving project goals.

Collaboration and Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to articulate ideas and findings.

Application Process

If you are interested in this position, please apply by uploading an up-to-date CV showcasing your experience.

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