Senior NPD Technologist

Somewhere on a production line in Somerset, a concept that started life as an idea on a whiteboard is about to become a real product on a real shelf. Getting it there, intact, on spec and on time, is where you come in.

Zest is partnering with a well-established food and drink manufacturer in Somerset to find a Senior NPD Technologist who can bridge that gap between a great idea and a great product. It''s a role for someone who''s just as comfortable at the bench as they are on the factory floor, someone who can take a concept recipe, understand exactly what makes it work and translate that into a process that runs cleanly, safely and efficiently at scale.

You''ll be there from the very first bench trial through pilot runs and into full production, working hand in hand with Operations, Technical and Supply Chain to make sure nothing gets lost in translation along the way. You''ll be the person customers trust when they walk the factory floor during trials, the one who makes sure the blend sheets are right, the allergens are flagged, the batch is traceable and the yields add up. When something needs signing off, you''ll be chasing it down. When a launch meeting needs to happen, you''ll be the one pulling people into the room.

It''s a role with real variety: taste panels one day, shelf-life documentation the next, a customer visit after that and always an eye on the next project moving through the pipeline. No two weeks look quite the same, but every one of them ends with you a little closer to getting something right first time.

You''ll bring a food-related qualification and at least three years spent in a food manufacturing environment, so you already understand the pressures and the pace. A good handle on Excel and the kind of communication style that builds quality relationships with customers and colleagues alike.

Please note - sponsorship is not available for this role and candidates must have full right to work in the UK

If this sounds like your ideal next role, Id love to have a confidential conversation. Please contact Danielle on (phone number removed) or (url removed).

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