Senior Development Technologist
Pilgrims Europe · Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
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Why this role matters
How close this job is to real sourcing and menu decisions.
This role sits inside the product development pipeline of a major UK/Irish meat processor, validating and launching new products across categories including pork, lamb and chicken. While the advert frames the job as process and documentation (nutritional analysis, shelf-life verification, cooking validation, trial coordination), that validation stage is where product specifications are locked down before launch, a seat with a direct line of sight to what a major meat business decides to sell at scale. It is not a role that sets supplier standards or sourcing criteria, but it builds exactly the technical fluency and NPD-process credibility that specification and category roles later require. For someone aiming eventually at a seat that sets buying or standards criteria for meat products, this is a plausible route in via the technical function, not a destination in itself.
Where this role can take you
What this job teaches you, and the jobs it can lead to.
Where it can lead
- R&D Manager
- NPD Manager
- Technical Manager
These roles typically hold sign-off over product specifications and supplier requirements for meat and poultry products, shaping what actually reaches the production line and the shelf.
About the role
Pilgrim's Europe (Pilgrim Food Masters) is hiring a Senior New Product Development Technologist based on-site in Shillelagh, on a permanent contract. The role sits within the R&D team and acts as the link between product development and full production, taking projects from handover through to successful product launch. Responsibilities include managing the R&D team to deliver new products from NPD through to launch while ensuring product consistency; adhering to the PFM Concept to Launch Gate Process; coordinating product trials and pre-production runs (PPRs) in preparation for handover to production; owning documentation such as nutritional analysis, shelf-life verification and cooking validations; ensuring ingredients, packaging and factory trial paperwork are correct and available; ordering packaging and raw materials for trials; coordinating customer visits for factory trials and PPRs alongside the R&D Manager; supporting the use of best-in-class processes and systems such as A3 problem solving; and overseeing the training and development of the NPI Technologist. Essential requirements are a degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, Level 2 Food Safety in Manufacturing, knowledge of current food manufacturing and product labelling legislation, good computer skills, good analytical and troubleshooting skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills. The advert describes the role as retailer-facing with direct customer interaction, operating in a fast-paced, hands-on environment within "high-growth culinary categories." Pilgrim's Europe's portfolio spans brands including Fridge Raiders, Rollover, Denny, Richmond, Oakhouse and Moy Park, plus own-label products in fresh pork, lamb and chicken, chilled and frozen ready meals, snacking ranges and food service products, working with major UK, Irish and European retailers and food service outlets.</role_summary> <parameter name="builds_skills">["NPD process and gate management", "factory trial and pre-production coordination", "technical documentation (nutritional, shelf-life, cooking validation)", "cross-functional team leadership in manufacturing", "retailer-facing product launch experience"]
This is an extract. Read the full advert on the employer's site.
Key terms to include in your CV and cover letter
What this employer is asking for, in their words. Applications are often screened by software looking for exact phrases, so if these describe your experience, use their wording.
- new product development
- concept-to-launch gate process
- product trial coordination
- pre-production runs
- nutritional analysis
- shelf-life verification
- cooking validation
- factory trial documentation
- food safety legislation
- product labelling legislation
- Level 2 Food Safety in Manufacturing
- team management and training
- A3 problem solving
- retailer-facing project management
- customer code of practice compliance
How to position yourself
The language that works with hiring managers for this kind of job.
Position this as deep technical NPD experience within a leading European meat manufacturer, emphasise your ability to manage the concept-to-launch gate process, coordinate factory trials, and own documentation (nutritional analysis, shelf-life, cooking validation) that underpins product consistency and retailer compliance. Food Safety in Manufacturing (Level 2) and familiarity with food labelling legislation are worth highlighting, alongside any experience coordinating cross-functional teams through product launch.
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