NPD Technologist

Reports to: Head of NPD & Commercial

Location: Kent (driving licence required due to location)

Salary: £33,000 - £35,000

Love developing products? Passionate about turning big ideas into brilliant launches? This could be the role you've been waiting for.

We're looking for an NPD Technologist to help create and launch exciting, high-quality products within the confectionery / sweet category. From early concept work through to full-scale factory production, you'll play a hands-on role at the heart of innovation, bringing products to life in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

The Role

As an NPD Technologist, you'll support and lead development projects across a variety of sweet formats. Working closely with Production, QA, Procurement and Commercial teams, you'll ensure products meet technical, regulatory and commercial requirements while delivering quality and creativity in equal measure.

This role is ideal for someone who is creative, technically capable, and enjoys being hands-on in both kitchen and factory environments.

What You'll Be Doing

Product Development & Innovation

Develop and support new confectionery products from concept to launch
Create recipes across a range of sweet formats, including filled, coated and inclusion-based products
Run kitchen and factory trials, analyse results and drive continuous improvementTechnical & Factory Support

Optimise existing products to improve quality, cost, shelf life and efficiency
Support scale-up, plant trials and first production runs
Maintain accurate formulations, specifications and technical documentationCompliance & Collaboration

Ensure products meet legal, food safety and customer requirements
Support artwork, labelling and finished product specifications
Work cross-functionally to keep projects on track and delivered on time

What Success Looks Like

NPD projects delivered to time, quality and cost targets
Smooth launches and confident factory scale-ups
Clear, accurate technical documentation
A strong pipeline of innovative, differentiated confectionery products

About You

You're passionate about food product development, curious by nature, and comfortable rolling up your sleeves.

You'll bring:

A degree in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline
Experience in NPD within confectionery or a related sweet category would be preferred!
Strong understanding of formulation, ingredient functionality and processing
Hands-on experience with factory trials and scale-up
Customer facing experience
Solid knowledge of food safety, HACCP and relevant legislationYou're also:

Creative, practical and detail-focused
Comfortable managing multiple projects at pace
A strong communicator and collaborative team player
Motivated by seeing products go from idea to shelfBonus points for experience with retailer or branded products, sustainability initiatives, allergen management, packaging technologies or continuous improvement.

Why Join Us?

Be part of a business that values innovation and creativity
Work on exciting products from concept through to launch
Collaborate with passionate experts across the business
See your work make a real impact in the market