Senior Process Technologist

Senior Process Technologist

Somerset | £38,000 - £45,000 | Full-time, permanent

Zest Recruitment is delighted to be partnering with an established manufacturer in the plant-based and dairy space to recruit a Senior Process Development Technologist. This is a brilliant opportunity for a hands-on NPD professional who thrives on turning concepts into successful, efficient factory processes and who enjoys being at the heart of the action.

Reporting to the NPD Manager, you'll lead the process development stage of new product development, taking concept recipes and process methodology through bench, pilot and full plant trials. You'll aim to deliver "right first time" across quality, yield and cost, working in line with site HACCP controls.

The role:

- Lead all aspects of the NPD process stage — managing and supporting development through bench, pilot and main plant trials, with hands-on delivery

- Own trials end to end: setting up documentation, hosting pre-trial and launch meetings, and coordinating sign-off with Operations and Technical

- Take joint responsibility for trial and first-production

- Ensure blend sheets carry accurate allergen, PPE, spec and processing information to drive right-first-time delivery

- Build strong relationships with customers and act as the NPD lead for customer attendance at factory trials

- Generate trial and launch reports for internal and customer sharing, feeding feedback into final documentation and QAS

- Support the wider NPD team with day-to-day tasks

About you:

- Food-related qualification and at least 3 years' experience in a food manufacturing environment

- Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines

- HACCP L2/3 qualified legal labelling knowledge advantageous

- Comprehensive understanding of plant, processes and products, with a logical, methodical approach

- Confident communicator who works well cross-functionally with Technical, Operations and Quality

- Fully computer literate with good Excel skills

- Self-motivated, commercially aware and flexible on customer visits and cover

- A keen interest in food

This is a fantastic role for someone ready to take real ownership of process development within a collaborative, fast-moving team in a growing category.

To find out more and for a confidential conversation please contact Danielle Bailey on [email protected] or 01780 483 999.