Product Development Technologist

Are you looking to start or continue your career in New Product Development? We have a new opportunity for a Product Development Technologist to join our NPD team in Middlesbrough! About The Compleat Food Group At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good - great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat. We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own-label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added-value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant-based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice. With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better. We are backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners. Location: Middlesbrough Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 5pm and Friday: 8:30am - 4pm with some travels Salary: £28,000 per annum Job Purpose: To support the development teams with product development activities and fostering positive relationships with customers and internal stakeholders. Key Duties, Responsibilities & Accountabilities: • Support the Development and Culinary teams in the creation and refinement of recipes in line with customer requirements and expectations • Being actively involved in the kitchen with the creation of samples and food for key meetings • Support in the organisation and set up of customer and internal presentations and events • Co-ordinate sample requests – obtaining samples, booking couriers, liaising with relevant parties to ensure timely delivery of samples • Support product developers with completion of NPD documents, e.g. submission forms, feasibility and handover documents • Support in the maintenance of Recipe Professor for the site • Assist with the sourcing and viability of new raw materials from an operational, technical and product development perspective • Follow the critical path timelines - escalating incomplete tasks and risks to prevent delays in product approval and launch. • Assist with customer specification information collection and approval of artwork • Complete benchmarking documents, store visits, support panels to develop sound understanding of existing (EPD) and New Product Development (NPD) • Support the site process team on trials, data collection and factory paperwork when required • This role requires product tasting across multiple categories and may include meat-based products Knowledge, Skills and Experience: • Passion to start or continue career in New Product Development • Food based / Culinary qualification - desirable • Keen interest in food • Confident in the kitchen • Positive, can-do attitude • Knowledge of product launch process (advantageous) • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written • Good planning, organisation and project management skills • Good analytical and numeracy skills • Attention to detail • Good level of computer literacy – Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Teams • Understanding of UK and European food regulation and legislation • Driving Licence Why Join Us? At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing and career growth: Financial & Lifestyle Benefits: • Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension • Annual leave with the option to purchase extra • Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform • Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store • Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand • EV charging points - available at selected sites Health & Wellbeing: • 24/7 access to Grocery Aid for free financial, emotional, and practical support • Physical Wellbeing Hub - free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts • Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes • Online wellbeing support - from mindfulness to lifestyle resources • Financial wellbeing tools - including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid Career Growth & Development: • Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS) • Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role • Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations • Company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey • Recognition through Club Compleat rewards Community & Culture: • 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you • Charity initiatives and fundraising events • Team socials to connect and celebrate together • Employee networks & support groups - including Women @ Compleat • New baby gift for new parents What You Should Know About How We Recruit We hire the best people for our roles, not the same people. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, we focus on what you do and the impact you could make in our business. Our recruitment process is fair, accessible, and designed to give everyone an equal chance. You’ll also find benefits that support people at every life stage, plus active internal networks — including Women @ Compleat, LGBTQIA+, and Neurodiversity REF-229 708