NPI Technologist

About Kerry

About the role

We are recruiting for an NPD Technologist to work with the wider R&D team and operations team to drive the projects through the development process in a timely manner.

This role will involve activities such as, Build relationships with Marketing, Operations and Commercial and ensure Customer care and adherence to the Kerry Purpose, Vision and Values

The successful candidate will strive too win in the market by providing a standardised approach to: New Product Introduction trials and launches; Process Improvements and Profit Improvement Projects (PIPs) that will be loved by our customers and deliver commercially for the business.

To achieve success, it is critical that the NPD Technologist works cross-functionally to ensure that all concepts / recipes developed are aligned with the business strategy. A key focus of this role will also be to maintain awareness as to the potential upgrade of existing products giving consideration to operation efficiencies and PIP initiatives

Key responsibilities

• Interpretation of project briefs and planning and co-ordination of the gate zero meeting to gain site approval to progress the project. This will involve creation of the feasibility study outlining how, how much, how long the projects will take, while ensuring the correct systems are used to manage the project (e.g.) use of Salesforce.
• Master schedules to be developed for each project and to be communicated and managed with the key stakeholders involved in the project.
• Responsible for product / packaging development and validation.
• This will involve conducting trials on benchtop, in the pilot plant through to scale up trial in the factory in conjunction with the site teams.
• These trials will be completed in accordance with the agreed site processes and systems.
• Trials are to be completed ensuring all documentation is retained.
• Documentation will include activities such as, full nutritional information, Shelf life (Micro and organoleptics). This will involve good communication with the site teams to ensure all site processes are followed.
• Costings will be completed in conjunction with procurement and site finance and communicated to brand / customer for approval once the process has been agreed with the site team.
• All trial records to be kept in folder and online for reference purposes ensuring trial success or failure to be cleared captured and recorded.
• Managing private label and branded artwork approval.

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• All new concepts to be presented to site SLT / key stakeholders prior to panels ensuring accurate costings are delivered against current factory capabilities and Post launch reviews of the quality of existing products via Consistency Panels to be completed.
• Prepare product samples for customers (internal and external to the company. This may include samples for activities such as photography, Customer Tenders, nutritional’s, shelf life, handovers, pre-pro, launches and Brandbank.
• Also, along with the total team ensure that the NPD work areas are maintained and cleaned to the highest possible standards.
• Once project has been approved by brand / customer the commercialisation process will be followed in conjunction with the, site quality/technical team, brand or sales lead. This process will be followed to ensure the transfer of quality into the factory with the support of the site teams during trials and on-going post-launch until full handover.
• Responsible for the handover of the Tech Doc to the Quality / Technical/ Regulatory / Packaging departments to assist them in completion of customer specifications and artwork approval for both product and packaging based on the information gathered throughout the development process.
• Supporting the brand/customer agendas via project delivery
• Working alongside the R&D Co-Ordinator / NPI team to prepare high quality presentation paperwork
• Maintaining awareness of market, consumer & restaurant trends, and competitor activity, applying this knowledge during the development phase as well as understanding the customer protocols and Kerry’s strategic plan (eg) Packaging sustainability plans and lead out the sourcing and trials in conjunction with the packaging lead, procurement, and the site team.

Qualifications and skills

• Previous experience in NPD
• Communication skills
• Degree in food related subjects
• Organisation skills
• SAP, Optiva, MS office computer skills