Development Technologist - Jonathan Lee Recruitment : Job Details

About the Role:

Who are we, and what do we do?

You may not have heard of us, but there's a good chance you've enjoyed our products. Avara Foods is one of the UK's leading food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey to the country's major supermarkets and well-known restaurants.

We own and manage our entire supply chain, from farms to factory and all the way to the customer door - meaning we have careers that cover a whole range of functions. We have major processing sites across England and Wales, and an agricultural network of over 350 farms, spanning from North Yorkshire to the South Coast and Wales.

About the Role:

Are you the innovative type with a proactive and naturally creative nature? Are you looking for a new challenge in your NPD career?

As an inclusive, forward-thinking business, we take pride in our approach to New Product Development across Avara Foods and are looking for a highly competent and motivated Development Technologist to join our NPDTeam, based at our Dudley or Herefordsite.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a self-focused "foodie", with a logical approach to their tasks and a customer focused mind.

What will you be doing as a Development Technologist at Avara?

As an NPD Technologist you will support the NPD Development Product Manager in developing and delivering upon NPD initiatives for your business unit area.  You will report directly to the New Product Development Manager, and work closely with cross functional teams such as Technical, Operations, Commercial, Planning & Procurement teams to identify requirements and plan schedules of work for product delivery.

Travel to suppliers, customers & Avara manufacturing sites will be required on a weekly basis.

Working hours are Monday to Friday 08.30 - 17.00

What will your key responsibilities as a Development Technologist include?

Category and Market Knowledge: Have an awareness of the retail and food service markets and current products / ranges in your area.

Support internal and external benchmarking sessions.

Complete product information sheets for all competitor products as required.

Manage the NPD Programme: Develop products to agreed customer briefs and present for internal & customer approval.

Work with suppliers to develop products to customer briefs.

Use Point 74 Recipe Professor system through development programmes to agreed procedure.

Support customer presentations ensuring all required documentation has been completed.

Attend Business Unit NPD Meetings as required.

Ensure all development activity is completed in line with NPD Procedures and Processes and information is correctly and accurately recorded.

Deliver the Launch Programme: Work in conjunction with technical & operations to organise and execute production trials and manage subsequent shelf-life assessments, organoleptic testing, cooking instruction verification, and nutritional sample analysis.

Occasional weekend working will be required to complete Organoleptic Assessments.

Use production trials to generate information to validate the product costing.

Liaise with the site-based Operations and Technical teams to plan the Product launch.

Manage launches to ensure the product complies with the specification and meets the agreed quality parameters.

What you'll need to be successful:

Experience in developing and launching new products with retail and food service customers.

Experience of working within product development in an FMCG environment.

Managing critical paths and coordinating internal departments to ensure successful product launches.

Knowledge of the functional characteristics of food ingredients.

Have a thorough understanding of the product development process from concept through to launch with previous experience of adherence to Retailers NPD systems.

Able to work under your own initiative.

Computer literate.

Methodical approach, able to ascertain clear requirements from stakeholders

Highly accurate with excellent attention to detail.

Full UK Driving License.

Desirable

A recognised qualification in Food Sciences or related subject areas.

Experience of working within product development in an FMCG environment - ideally Meat/Poultry.

Knowledge of food labelling and ingredient regulatory requirements

The benefits of working for Avara Foods:

As a Development Technologist you will enjoy a secure, supportive and progressive working environment, where your contribution and achievements will be recognized and rewarded.

We offer comprehensive training as well as continuous development as you build your long-term career with us. You can also look forward to benefits that amongst other things, include the following:

Up to £35,000 

per annum

31 days holiday allowance

Secure contract with long term career development opportunities

Straight forward pension contribution of 6%

Subsidised staff canteen serving hot food

Staff shop / staff sales at hugely discounted prices

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted local gym membership

Salaried Advance Finance

Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme

Access to our Employee Benefit Scheme, which includes unlimited remote GP appointments and unlimited mental health sessions, physiotherapy sessions, medical second opinion consultation, and other discounts and perks, such as savings & discounts on weekly costs.

What happens after you ap