Product Development Technologist

The Vacancy
Product Development Technologist
Location: Craigavon
About the Role
Are you passionate about food innovation and bringing exciting new products to market? We are looking for a Product Development Technologist to join our dynamic Product Development team.
In this role, you will work closely with site teams, customers, chefs, and cross-functional stakeholders to support the end-to-end development of new and existing food products, from initial concept through to successful launch. You will play a vital role in delivering customer-focused development and innovation, supporting business growth, and helping to shape the future food agenda at Pilgrim's Europe.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a passion for food, strong organisational skills, and a desire to develop a career in New Product Development (NPD).
Key Responsibilities
Product Development & Innovation

• Support the delivery of customer-focused and commercially viable NPD and EPD projects.
• Assist in transforming customer briefs and innovation ideas into successful product launches.
• Ensure products meet customer codes of practice, legislative requirements, allergen standards, sustainability objectives, and welfare standards.
• Contribute to innovation sessions, customer presentations, and product ideation activities.
• Help identify opportunities for product improvement, value creation, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
• Flexibility to travel for training and business requirements such as customer submissions and supplier visits. Full UK driving license is essential.

Project Management

• Support projects through the development gate process, ensuring all information is accurately maintained within recipe management systems.
• Build recipes and products to generate accurate submissions forms and costings.
• Assist and delegate the preparation of customer product submission samples.
• Assist with project planning, critical path management, and cross-functional communication.
• Support artwork approval processes to ensure compliance with legal and customer requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Commercial, Operations, Procurement, Technical, NPI, and Customer teams to deliver projects successfully.
• Support feasibility assessments for new products, ingredients, processes, and packaging solutions.
• Participate in customer visits and presentations.
• Maintain documentation to support internal and external audit requirements.

Market & Consumer Insight

• Stay informed about food, consumer, restaurant, and market trends.
• Monitor competitor activity and emerging food innovations.
• Support the development of customer roadmaps aligned with market trends and site capabilities.
• Bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to future innovation and NPD projects.

About You
We're looking for someone who is enthusiastic about food, highly organised, and enjoys working in a collaborative environment.
Skills & Experience

• Experience with in a Product Development or food manufacturing environment is advantageous but not essential.
• Understanding of product costing, ingredient sourcing, packaging, or supply chain processes would be beneficial.
• Strong project management and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects at once.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Analytical mindset with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience working with cross-functional or geographically diverse teams would be advantageous.

Qualifications

• Relevant food industry qualification and/or practical experience.
• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Marketing, Business, or equivalent qualification is desirable.

Why Join Pilgrim's Europe?
At Pilgrim's Europe, our values drive everything we do:

• Availability - We are open, responsive, and ready to embrace new challenges.
• Humility - We listen, collaborate, and value the views of others.
• Discipline - We consistently deliver on our commitments.
• Sincerity - We act with honesty, respect, and integrity.
• Ownership - We take responsibility and make things happen.
• Determination - We strive for excellence and continuous improvement.
• Simplicity - We focus on what matters most to achieve success.

If you're passionate about food innovation and want to be part of a business that is shaping the future of the industry, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and help create the next generation of exciting food products at Pilgrim's Europe.
Please note: This role is fully office-based with no hybrid or remote working options .
Our Story
Pilgrim's Europe produces some of the best-known and most iconic brands in the UK and Ireland, including Fridge Raiders, Rollover, Denny, Richmond, Oakhouse and Moy Park, alongside a diverse range of industry leading own-label products in categories including fresh pork, lamb and chicken, working with all the major retailers and food service outlets.
Our portfolio extends to authentic chilled and frozen ready meals, snacking ranges, added value and food service…