Overview
The department and team

If you’re a Food Development technologist  looking for an opportunity to make a real difference …

We are looking for  a ‘foodie’  with the drive and passion to develop great tasting , nutritious  new food products  and support the continual improvement of  existing meals and desserts.

You will be  lead and support  product development projects from ideation through to launch and manage  them through our stage-gate development process. You will apply problem solving skills to overcome challenges and deliver products that create real competitive advantage.

This exciting role  will support sales  growth through a  customer focused  and creative approach to product  development and  effective project management .

You will join a development  team of chefs, technologists and dietitians   with a track record of delivering market leading innovation . You will  also  work closely with other key stakeholders  across the business including Category Management, Operations and Purchasing.

Who we are

apetito are the leading food producer for the health and social care sector, providing delicious, nutritious and sustainable meals for people at home and in care.

We’re also the parent company of Wiltshire Farm Foods, the UK’s premier home-delivery service for ready-made meals.

Through our wide range of tasty and nutritious meals, we aim to make a real difference to the lives of elderly and vulnerable people .

We’re proud to be a Living Wage employer and member of the Ethical Trading Initiative. We support British food and farming and operate a successful programme of waste reduction and resource efficiency across our whole business.

In addition to your salary, you will receive 25 days annual leave holiday entitlement and the ability to buy additional annual leave, retail discounts, free car parking, subsidised staff restaurant and much more!

Responsibilities

New Product Development – Supporting and  managing  product development projects  at all stages of the development process from   idea generation stage through to launch whilst ensuring   compliance  with our development process and  company policies.  

Innovation – You will  proactively  identify  new opportunities and innovations to improve our food offering , 'sell in' ideas to the business teams and   manage  agreed projects through to launch to   create  competitive advantage and deliver market leading solutions.

Process Development  - You will organise and manage production trials and liaise with stakeholders to ensure effective communications and optimise outcomes.

Product improvement e.g. Nutrition and Quality – You  will need to work closely with our Dietitians, Chefs and  Manufacturing , Category management  and Purchasing  teams to identify and deliver improvement opportunities, taking into consideration the needs of all stakeholders.

Cost reduction - You will identify   and assist in the delivery of cost reduction opportunities whilst ensuring product quality is never compromised. 

Qualifications

Essential for this role:

• A proven track record in food product  development 
• Experience of working with others to achieve demonstrably successful project outcomes
• Experience of successful multi-functional project management
• Good presentation skills

Desirable for this role:

• Experience within frozen or chilled food manufacturing
• Experience within prepared meals
• Experience of identifying and delivering cost savings
• Excellent culinary  and sensory skills
• Can  demonstrate commercial awareness

Personal Qualities:

• A passion for great food
• Tenacious with the ability to drive projects forward to successful completion
• Creative  and innovative
• Team player and project leader
• Ability to influence others
• Good problem solving skills