NPD Technologist

NPD Technologist – Process Cheese (Fixed Term)

Requisition ID 43259
Position Type FT Fixed Term
Career Function Research and Development 
Division  Kerry Foods

Kerry Foods – a leading name in the global food industry, and a distinctly individual business. Kerry are home to incredible brands, over 6000 brilliant people and big ambitions. Their products, many of which are household favourites, are eaten by millions of people every day. Your energy, enthusiasm and fresh thinking could help us reach millions more.

About Kerry

Kerry is the world’s leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers’ most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

You’ll be working in our Dairy team across the cheese portfolio working with the NPD, technical and operations team to drive the projects through the development process in a timely manner and win in the market by providing relevant product design to create brilliant recipes that will be loved by our customers and deliver commercially for the business. 

The opportunity is for a 1 year fixed term contract in our location in Coleraine, Northern Ireland.

Key responsibilities

• Interpretation of briefs to ensure the development of innovative and technologically competent solutions that are in line with brand/customer expectations 
• Work closely with R&D Manager, NPI, Chef, Technical & Regulatory team to manage projects & co-ordinate project teams 
• Support the communication & management of all critical paths, ensuring that R&D are actively liaising with cross functional teams to discuss all new products, raw materials and processing to iron out issues at the front end of the development process 
• Work with the finance team to generate costings in line with customer target costs, promotional mechanics, quality tiering and operational efficiencies prior to developing propositions. 
• Develop recipes in line with customer and business guidelines
• Complete product trials (bench top & scale up) to enable customer samples submissions, nutritional analysis, shelf life testing and photography can be completed
• Complete all relevant documentation from trials in line with customer and business guidelines to enable smooth hand over to NPI and successful product launches 
• Follow the product quality of each project from concept, recipe development, process design and scale-up to NPI handover and successful finished product launch 
• Maintain awareness of market, customer & restaurant trends and competitor activity 
• Collate/agree specifications for all new raw materials, packaging and processes alongside the technical department 
• Build relationships with Account managers, Marketing, Technical, Regulatory,Operations & Commercial ensuring Customer Care and adherence to the Kerry Purpose, Vision and Values 

Qualifications and skills

• Degree in a Food Science, Dairy or equivalent qualification  or previous relevant experience in the Food Manufacturing with preference in the Dairy industry
• Recipe development experience
• Excellent trial planning skills from Kitchen top to large scale factory scale up
• Product/Menu Costing experience
• Project Management skills 
• Customer management skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Passionate about food  

Kerry benefit from the knowledge of colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and experiences. One team fostering an inclusive culture that, above all, inspires food and nourishes life. One culture where everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences to help make us better, together. We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally.

The recruitment, selection and assessment process are based on the skills and competencies of the specific roles and based entirely on merit.  We are committed to and value Diversity and Inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kerry and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic. Displays tenacity, you like to go that extra mile to achieve results and deliver excellent service.