Innovation & Development Technologist

Innovation & Development Technologist

I&D - Pizza | Leyland | Full Time | Permanent

Since our beginnings ker, we have been breaking new ground. With pizza, cake, and desserts, as well as digital platforms and services – quality and an innovative spirit set us apart.

What awaits you? It's up to you! ker, you can actively shape the future – both yours and ours. We want to be part of something bigger. Don't you?

JOIN THE TASTE.

Do you love pizza, and would you like to be part of the team that makes the UK’s favourite frozen branded pizza? Do you thrive on getting things done and making real change? Then carry on reading!

ker UK we are continuously investing to maintain our state‑of‑the‑art production facility. All our teams contribute to the success of our business, and we are as proud of our hard‑working friendly culture as we are of the fantastic market‑leading pizzas we make. Being a family‑owned business we “Create a taste of home” through our quality products and our culture.

Great news! We're looking for an Innovation & Development Technologist to join our Innovation & Development pizza team.

Are you a bakery development specialist who has a passion for developing new products, wish to thrive in a Fast‑Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) environment and enjoy working cross‑functionally with other departments such as Sales, Marketing and Production – this is the time to take your craft to the next level.

The Leyland Facility is where the Chicago Town Pizzas started over 30 years ago. We are looking for a dedicated individual to join our state‑of‑the‑art production facility and play a key role working alongside our teams who are proudly making the Dr. Oetker and Chicago Town branded pizzas.

• Develop new product concepts / existing product improvements following all aspects of the product development process from concept brief to full production specialising in the pizza crust development.
• Agree quality standards for all new/relaunched products with marketing, operations and quality ensuring they are clearly communicated to production and quality teams prior to 1st production.
• Proactively identify innovative product concepts via market trend information, food exhibitions, food safaris, ideation sessions or external suppliers.
• Be constantly aware of competitor activity and trends within the market and to share outputs with the wider business of any pizza benchmarking or trend information.
• Work with the Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement and Quality teams to identify and implement bakery process and product improvements to benefit product quality and/ or efficiency in line with brand guidelines.
• Proactively identify options to improve the nutritional profile of products within the frozen portfolio and to constantly implement options without impacting on the taste credentials of the product.

As a key member of the Innovation & Development Team, you will be responsible for ensuring all documentation and any other administrative aspects related to new product development are kept updated, as well as providing accurate new product specification information in a timely manner to ensure that new products are accurately set up in SAP and PDM.

ker we believe that our employees play a key role in our success. To help shape our future you must have a thorough understanding of bakery ingredients and be skilled in formulating fermented product. You should have 2+ years’ experience in the baking industry and a relevant food science or technical qualification (e.g. NVQ, diploma, or degree).

You must be a confident communicator with a personable and professional manner. You will need to have the ability to interact and relate to all levels of colleagues and to build strong trusted working relationships within all departments.

The ability to work within a rapidly changing environment is key, being able to maintain working to high standards whilst meeting short term time pressured goals alongside long term strategic objectives, demonstrating practical problem solving and the ability to balance multiple projects.

Whilst this is predominantly a days based…