Process Technologist

Process Technologist

Location: Greater Manchester

Business: Food manufacturing supplying UK retailers

Contract: Permanent

Please note: our client is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship from our client.

The opportunity

Our client is a food manufacturing business supplying products to the UK retail market. They are looking for a Process Technologist to support the successful transition of new and improved products from development into full-scale production.

Working closely with NPD, Technical, Operations and Commercial teams, you will help ensure products can be manufactured consistently, safely and efficiently, meeting agreed quality standards and retailer expectations.

This is a hands-on, factory-based role suited to someone who enjoys solving problems, coordinating trials and turning product concepts into practical manufacturing processes.

Key responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and carry out factory trials for new products, product improvements and changes to ingredients, packaging or manufacturing processes.
• Translate development recipes into repeatable production methods, identifying suitable equipment, process parameters and controls.
• Manage process development activity against critical paths, communicating progress, risks and actions to the relevant teams.
• Capture and assess trial results, including product quality, yields, waste, labour requirements and production performance.
• Support shelf-life validation, cooking instruction development and product assessment, working with the relevant technical specialists.
• Prepare and maintain accurate trial reports, process specifications, manufacturing instructions and supporting launch documentation.
• Work with production teams to resolve issues during scale-up and establish practical, consistent ways of working.
• Support pre-production runs and first production launches, ensuring agreed standards are achieved and teams are fully briefed.
• Contribute to retailer meetings, visits and product reviews, providing clear information on trials and manufacturing readiness.
• Identify opportunities to improve product consistency, efficiency and cost while protecting food safety and quality.
• Ensure trials and launches follow site food safety, allergen management, hygiene and health and safety procedures.
• Review products after launch and support any corrective actions or further improvements.

Experience and skills

We are looking for someone with:

• Experience in process development, food technology, NPD or a similar role within food manufacturing.
• An understanding of supplying UK retailers and the standards required to deliver successful product launches.
• Practical experience of factory trials, product scale-up and manufacturing processes.
• Good knowledge of food safety, HACCP, product quality and allergen controls.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage several projects and deadlines.
• A methodical approach to recording results, analysing information and resolving problems.
• Clear communication skills and the confidence to work with colleagues across factory and office functions.
• A proactive, collaborative approach and a willingness to spend time on the factory floor.

A qualification in food science, food technology or a related discipline would be beneficial, although relevant practical experience will also be considered.

Working arrangements

The role is based on site in Greater Manchester. Some flexibility in working hours may be required to support factory trials, production schedules and product launches.

Right to work and sponsorship

Our client cannot provide visa sponsorship for this position, either on appointment or subsequently during employment. Applicants must be able to undertake the role without requiring sponsorship from our client.

As part of the application process, please confirm your current right to work in the UK and whether you would require employer sponsorship now or in the future.