Development & Innovation Technologist

August 12, 2024

C&D Foods

Edgeworthstown

OTHER & FULL TIME

The Development & Innovation Technologist is a key member of the Group R&D Team, they play an important part in supporting the responsibility for driving the development process from Idea to implementation to ensure products meet customer projects/ deadlines.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Primary Objectives:

Manage all aspects of customer accounts from Research and Development perspective and be key point of contact for all sites and all formats.
Manage product portfolio to ensure it is aligned with relevant brand.
Design recipe and diets with a risk-based approach.
Align with site teams during development to ensure consideration is given to capability, sourcing and efficiency.
Develop close relationships with customer and commercial teams.
Ensure current product portfolio meets the customer needs.
Support innovation plans to meet market needs in all customers, channels and markets.
Ensure products are monitored as appropriate to ensure full nutritional compliance and adjust accordingly where appropriate.
Execute palatability trials to ensure performance is consistently monitored against brand and benchmark.
Where product claims are included on packaging ensure they can be substantiated with relevant literature and research.
Support customer on technical issues within the remit of Research and Development.
Ensure all aspects of the NPD process meets the agreed deadlines.
Ensure products are legally and customer compliant.
Liaise with sites and functions to support implementation of NPD.
Support and develop group plans on palatability, nutritional testing, value engineering, raw materials where appropriate.
Management of external chemical analysis for Group product formats / group site support for testing requirements
Identify opportunities for USP's and Blue Skies
Continuously review market and competitor set and identify opportunities or gaps.
Co-ordinate customer visits and product presentations.
Develop a detailed thorough knowledge of the site's products, capabilities and constraints.
Develop a detailed knowledge of pet food market in terms of brand leaders, competitor set and specific customer dynamics and trends.

KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

Successful launches of product from concept to launch
Continuous pipeline of NPD products
Input on ongoing projects
Feedback from customers via surveys

PERSONAL COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Industry recognised qualification in Food/Animal Science/Animal Nutrition or other appropriate background relevant to Research and Development of Pet food.
Competence in Animal Nutrition, Food Science, Manufacturing, Legislation and Specifications
Manufacturing experience / NPD & EPD projects

Key Competencies:

Be able to translate and communicate customer requests to the appropriate teams ensuring they have the key information to deliver the project.
Track record on successful development and implementation of NPD.
Be innovative in approach to position ideas
Develop strong relationships with both customers and colleagues
Good communicator / delegation
IT/Computer literate
Continue to drive product and process improvement to the benefit of the customer and total business
The ability to prepare and deliver presentations internally and externally.
Co-ordinate effective meetings maintaining clear records
Challenge where appropriate.
Work on own initiative.
Strategic thinker
Experience in product development
Problem solver.

For more information on this role, please reach out to Ciara Keenan or Sephora Baugreet (Development & Innovation Managers) or James Platt (Group Head of R&D)

We regret to inform you that this job opportunity is no longer available