Process Development Technologist
We have a new opportunity for a Process Development Technologist to join our brilliant NPD team in Nottingham!
At The Compleat Food Group we’re not just serving up great food, we’re creating an environment where our people can thrive. As one of the leading chilled prepared food manufacturers in the UK food industry, we believe that our employees are the secret ingredient to our success. We’re passionate about fostering a culture where quality, innovation, collaboration, and personal growth are at the forefront.
Location: Nottingham (dual site cover – Tottle Bakery and Riverside Bakery)
Contract duration: 12 months
Working Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8:30am – 5pm, Friday: 8:30am – 4pm
Salary: £30,000 – £32,000 per annum
Job Purpose
To support in the effective delivery of the NPD and EPD agenda across the group, in-line with the Compleat Food Group and customer category plans. Follow the Compleat Food Group’s Product Launch Process effectively to deliver timely development of new and existing products in line with The Compleat Food Group’s brand strategy, category pipeline plans and growth aspirations as well as meeting all Compleat brand and/or customer standards. To assist with Continuous Improvement projects under prior agreement.
Key Duties:
Effective delivery of the NPD / EPD process from kitchen handover to launch in line with customer category plans.
Delivery of the Process / NPD agenda to required cost and within agreed timescales.
Delivery of the scale up of products within site food safety and technical standards
Responsible for all stages of critical path of projects with understanding of the implications and effects of deviations.
Work alongside other Development team members across multiple projects to bring new products and processes to life across multiple accounts.
Deputize for the Senior Process Technologist at site when required
Lead the Process teams to move product from kitchen to factory, ensuring all aspects of product quality are met and delivers the agreed margin.
Pre & post-trial meetings and pre-pro meetings
Detailed paperwork for every trial & pre-pro: including recipe amends, process parameters & staff training
Ensuring all CCP’s are hit e.g. temperature, Aw & pH
Ensuring food safety & product quality is 100% repeatable
Shelf-life & nutritional validation
Pack weight validation
Organoleptic & sensory validation
Organize process trials, ensure objectives are set and communicated to all relevant teams prior to the trials.
Support the ordering of new ingredients / packaging for trials and assess on arrival & through trials.
Carry out production trials in line with site standards, fully accountable for these being actioned in the factory, in all areas from make to wrap.
Gather relevant information from trials including: – run rates, weights, settings, labour, washouts, data logging etc.
Work closely with production and planning to determine optimum batch sizes / volumes and dual processing requirements when required.
Liaise with relevant departments such as engineering where the is a requirement for new kit or where amends may be required.
Send product for shelf life and nutritional testing from factory trials; liaising with technical department for full sign off.
Complete storage trials and complete organoleptics.
Complete re-heat validation &/or arrange relevant testing against customer code of practice.
Complete packaging and transit trials with support of packaging technologist when required.
Liaise with site chefs and development managers for kitchen V factory verification panels (internal & external)
Highlight any amends from product at handover to management for re-costing and paperwork amends.
Accountable for the trial material within the factory ensuring standards are maintained across relevant sites.
Lead process teams documentation to support product development to an auditable standard
Work to Process Development documents and procedures ensuring the team follows appropriate guidelines and initiating amends where required.
Support the writing of factory specifications.
Attend HACCP meetings where required ensuring new raw materials are approved prior to arrival at site/trials commencing.
Complete relevant documentation including process flow and site-specific food safety documents, such as SUSSLE.
Complete trial reports, distribute these accordingly and identify actions prior to next trials.
Complete nutritional comparisons and review against customer standards and policies with relevant development manager, feeding back to customer as required.
Collect samples for microbiological analysis and organize relevant testing. Arrange for review and sign off against customer standards and policies with technical department at site &/or group.
Complete relevant paperwork following post trial data analysis and ensure sign off by relevant departments. Example: organoleptics, storage approvals and reheat validation
Gather information for document control approval.
Support the writing of QAS and sign off at site.
Ensure electronic and paper copies of products are organized and complete alongside relevant checklist in line with site standards. Initiate these being signed off by management to audit standard.
Support site with artwork sign off.
Support PPR meeting and support running of the trial making amends where required to ensure product and factory are launch ready.
Support launch meetings and paperwork and ensure all relevant paperwork is complete.
Efficient hand over of product at preproduction to Technical, Production teams & all departments.
Check off BOM v recipe v costings prior to launch
Ensure all production shifts have been adequately trained to run the products, if not raise with management.
Arrange & support in collection and sort of production samples to go to customers in line within relevant codes of practice.
Review products once launched and follow up any process/ ingredient issues.
Support post-launch review
Support Technical teams, ongoing assessment of product quality through internal benchmarking against QAS sessions
Work with team to provide solutions to solve manufacturing problems on new & existing lines.
Support feeding into the costing model with process knowledge, wastage figures and trial results to deliver are accurate costings via the process development manager.
Support driving continuous improvements and identify cost savings in reducing production costs / new ideas and ingredient potential to maximize cost savings and efficiency to business.
Support value engineering of ingredients / packaging / processes.
Support in the liaising with suppliers to provide process and ingredient improvement.
Demonstrate ability to communicate with various teams as required by manager
Work to Development documents and procedures.
Support in sending samples out for customer requests.
Support other sites as and when required.
Appropriate communication (written and verbal) to teams and team members.
To work as part of a team and not by customer head. Projects may be split so working on multi-customers.
To work alongside the rest of the development team and be flexible in roles where required across the team.
Attend relevant meetings, to communicate relevant information regarding trials / process improvement.
Support the organizing of customer visits.
Support benchmarking panels.
Follow all H&S requirements during kitchen and process development work.
Promote safe working across site and advice immediately on unsafe work practices.
General office duties
May be required to carry out projects within the Compleat Food Group which may require time spent at other sites.
Due to the nature of the role, you may be required to cover weekends and night shifts.
Experience:
The right candidate will have a passion for food and an enthusiasm to learn on the job in a fast paced sector of the industry. The position is suitable for a candidate looking to start or continue their career within the food manufacturer industry with minimal experience.
Experience:
HND/Degree in food based/manufacturing subject (desirable)
Food manufacturing experience within an FMCG environment
HACCP / Food Safety Training/basic knowledge
Key Skills:
Planning, organization and project management
Communicating at different levels of seniority
Presentation skills
Identifying solutions
Basic computing skills
Qualities:
A passion for food – Product tasting is required across multiple categories
Problem solving
Enthusiasm to learn and grow
Self Motivated
Flexible attitude
What's in it for you?
Dynamic Environment: You will be working in a fast-paced, future-thinking agile company where your contributions make a real difference.
Culture: Be part of a fantastic team that values diversity, innovation, collaboration and excellence.
33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
2 Employee Volunteering Days per year
Online and High-street retailer discount scheme
Employee well-being and community support groups
Informal and Formal training opportunities with personalised online LMS platform
Charity Initiatives and Team events
24/7 Access to Grocery Aid (Free Financial, Emotional and Practical Support)
Physical Wellbeing Benefits – Free on demand exercise hub and various gym discounts.
Online Wellbeing benefits
Free Financial wellbeing – mortgage calculators, budget tools, financial aid tools
The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We welcome diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace.
We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal opportunity’s employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed.
Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process.
Recruitment Agencies:
We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition team.
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