Bennett Opie Ltd is a family run food manufacturer with over 140 years’ of trading.
We are passionate about what we do and are excited to have a brand new opportunity to increase our NPD department!
So if food development is what makes you tick and you excel in innovation, creativity, looking at ways to enhance current and new products, whilst working with a friendly and dedicated team of people throughout the business then this may just be the role for you.
Whilst this role is 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday with a 1 hour unpaid lunch break, some flexibility is required to accommodate trials and tasting sessions.
This role is permanently based from our Chalkwell Road site in Sittingbourne, Kent.

JOB OVERVIEW

We are seeking a skilled and innovative New Product Development Executive to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and improving products that meet customer needs and align with our company’s strategic objectives. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that product specifications are met while adhering to quality standards and timelines.

Education:

• Master’s (required

Experience:

• new product development: 3 years (required)
• managing BRCGS and multiple retailer standards: 3 years (required

Include but not limited to:

• Responsible for the management of NPD and EPD projects for the company.
• Generating new product opportunities and ideas for new or existing internally and externally manufactured products.
• To manage agreed development briefs through to launch and beyond.
• To develop new products within established manufacturing and technical procedures and constraints.
• To develop products within existing HACCP plans or develop new plans.
• Conduct presentations and product evaluations with internal and external customers.
• To co-ordinate with the factory and key personnel to plan and conduct factory production trials.
• Liaising with the Purchasing team to source new raw materials.
• To obtain relevant shelf life and challenge test data for new products.
• Ensure that all new products conform to statutory, Company and customer requirements.
• To keep abreast of all competitor and industry activity and trends.
• To support the promotional activities of new and existing products including photography, exhibitions and development of serving suggestions and recipe uses.
• To manage the development programme within the requirements of the BRCGS & customer standards.
• Perform testing and analysis.
• Work closely with the sales team to understand customer feedback and incorporate it into product enhancements.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations throughout the product development process.

The successful candidate will have:

• A degree in a food related subject.
• 3 years experience working in a food product development capacity
• Working knowledge BRCGS and multiple retailer standards
• Can demonstrate a track record of success and experience in product development.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality results within deadlines.
• A proactive approach towards continuous improvement and innovation in product development processes.

Join us in shaping the future of our products while contributing your expertise as a New Product Development Executive!
Salary banding is based depending on experience.
Please note; we are unable to offer sponsorship.
Due to the expected high volume of applicants, we will only contact those whom will be progressed further in the application process. We do however, thank all applicants for their interest in our organisation.
The Company reserves the right to close, pause or remove this vacancy.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £40,000.00-£45,000.00 per year

Additional pay:

• Performance bonus

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Free flu jabs
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Referral programme

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Sittingbourne ME10 2LJ: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Do you have experience in the development of products within existing HACCP plans or development new plans?

Education:

• Master’s (required)

Experience:

• new product development: 3 years (required)
• managing BRCGS and multiple retailer standards: 3 years (required)

Language:

• Fluent English (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person
Reference ID: NPDEERFEB25x