Process Technologist

Pilgrim’s Shared Services Ltd; Attleborough; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A food technology company in Attleborough is seeking an NPI Technologist to manage new product development projects. The role involves cross-functional collaboration, from factory trials to product launch. Candidates should have strong communication and analytical skills, relevant qualifications, and 1-2 years experience in an FMCG environment. A full UK Driving Licence is required. Join us in delivering innovative food solutions while ensuring quality and safety standards.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years’ experience in an FMCG environment required.
• Comfortable working in a chilled ready-meals environment.
• Conducting organoleptic assessments (sensory analysis).

Responsibilities

• Develop new products from concept to launch.
• Collaborate with NPD to align new products with customer expectations.
• Lead and support factory trials for accurate data collection.
• Prepare and issue factory paperwork for product launches.
• Manage development recipes through the Recipe Professor system.
• Coordinate and manage samples for validation.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Proactive problem-solving mindset

Strong analytical skills

Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office

Ability to plan and manage multiple projects

Confidence to build relationships

Education

Relevant qualifications (e.g., HACCP, Food Safety, Health & Safety)

Job description

Pilgrim’s Europe is looking for an NPI Technologist to join our team in Attleborough.

In this role, you’ll be part of our New Product Introduction (NPI) team, delivering exciting New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD) projects in line with customer critical paths. You’ll take ownership of customer and category development from factory trials through to launch, ensuring technical, quality, and commercial objectives are met through strong cross‑functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• A key player in developing new products from concept to launch, following the Pilgrim’s Europe stage‑gate process.
• Collaborate closely with NPD to ensure new products are aligned with customer expectations.
• Lead & support factory trials to ensure accurate data collection and reporting.
• Collect the appropriate evidence to make justified decisions.
• Prepare and issue factory paperwork for product launches.
• Responsible for ensuring key milestones are met in line with the Critical Path for each project within the Recipe Professor stage‑gate system.
• Manage development recipes through our Recipe Professor system.
• Coordinate and manage samples for validation, including:
  • Shelf‑life and sensory (organoleptic) testing
  • Nutritional sample submission
  • Transit trials
  • Cooking validation (internal and external)
  • Product composition analysis
• Maintain all trial materials to ensure compliance to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
• Ensure compliance with customer policies and business standards.
• Source benchmark samples and ingredients as required.
• Key customer account lead: attending external meetings when required, lead site visits and develop close, long‑standing relationships with our customers.
• A champion of food safety and quality.

What You Will Need

• Excellent communication skills with a passion for achieving targets and driving continuous improvement.
• A proactive, problem‑solving mindset and strong organisational skills.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to plan and manage multiple projects and meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
• Confidence to represent Pilgrim’s Europe and build strong relationships at all levels.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Relevant qualifications (e.g., HACCP, Food Safety, Health & Safety).
• 1-2 years’ experience in an FMCG environment (High Care and/or Low Risk experience would be preferrable).
• Comfortable working in a chilled ready‑meals environment and conducting organoleptic assessments (sensory analysis).
• Full UK Driving Licence.