NPD Technologist
- Recruiter
- Refresco
- Location
- Bridgwater
- Salary
- Competitive
- Posted
- 18 Jan 2017
- Closes
- 25 Jan 2017
- Sectors
- Travel & Tourism
- Contract Type
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full Time
About the Role Reporting to the New Product Development Manager this role works within the Refresco Commercial Team and is primarily focused to support our key account client in the UK, working with the client to deliver product development solutions against product briefs and to undertake specific research and innovation projects.You will have excellent interpersonal skills which allow you to constantly communicate with your key account customer and working cross - functionally in the Refresco team. The New Product Development (NPD) team work closely with marketing, purchasing and technical. You will:- Build and maintain good working relationships with customers and manage expectations of the customer on all NPD projects and timelines;- Ensure that all samples produced for assessment internally and externally are safe for consumption and made in a hygienic manner, in accordance with the companies guidelines on good manufacturing practice (GMP);? Understand and apply the company's procedure on product development;? Develop products against allocated project briefs;? Ensure raw materials are utilized which are technically acceptable for current processes; are readily available; are cost effective; are authentic; are chemically and micro biologically safe and are sourced from acceptable suppliers;? Present product samples to customers with the required supporting data;? Ensure new product formulations comply with current legal requirements and relevant codes of practice;? Liaise with relevant site personnel prior to product launches to ensure technical information is given to generate formulations, data sheets and specifications;? Initiate pre-production development trials if the product has special technical properties or if demanded by the customer.? Attend and assist in pre-production trials and new product launches;? Organise necessary sensory evaluation panels to support product development and general issues of company quality assessment;? To advise new ideas which can be added to the innovation list;? To maintain and report current development systems, ensuring that the information is available and up to date at all times;- Advise on new ideas which can be added to the innovation list;- Support and deputise for the NPD Manager as required during audits and with technical development. About You The successful candidate requires:- A food or science based degree (or equivalent);- Experience of managing projects from inception and development through to implementation often with very pressing timescales;- Experience of new product development including arranging and facilitating taste tests;- Experience of building, maintaining, key account client relationships as this role is responsible for new product development with our largest client;- A passion for food & drink!- Flexibility, because the role will require travel and some overnight stays depending on client needs;- Strong communication skills including confidence to deliver presentations;- Good IT skills in particular MS Office. About Us Refresco is the leading European bottler of soft drinks and fruit juices for retailers and branded customers with production in Benelux, France, Germany, Iberia, Italy, the UK, Poland and Finland. In 2015 the company realized full year volumes and revenue of circa 6.1 billion litres and circa EUR 2.0 billion, respectively. Refresco offers an extensive range of product and packaging combinations from 100% fruit juices to carbonated soft drinks and mineral waters in carton, PET, Aseptic PET, cans and glass. Focused on innovation, Refresco continuously searches for new and alternative ways to improve the quality of its product and packaging combinations in line with consumer and customer demand, environmental responsibilities and market demand. Refresco is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and employs circa 4,100 staff. Refresco UK based Bridgwater , Somerset, UK employs 850 people and we run four factories producing circa 700 million litres per annum, our target is a billion litres. We work with leading retailers to produce their private labels and some of the best household names are among our branded customers. Refresco floated publicly on the Euronext stock exchange in March 2015. In July 2016 we announced the acquisition of Whitlock Packaging in the US, our first foray in to the US drinks market.