Senior Innovation Development Technologist

At Yeo Valley, we’ve been making delicious, organic dairy products for over 50 years. As a family-run business, we believe in doing things the right way – sustainably, ethically, and with people at the heart of what we do. 

Under the direction of the Innovation Manager, as Senior Innovation Technologist you will support in the launching & evaluating of new & existing products in the following categories (yogurt, ice cream, desserts, savoury & fruit).

The role will work closely with cross-functional teams to assist in the delivery of cutting-edge, high-quality product concepts.  Main areas of focus are:

• Supporting Innovation Manager in concept creation
• Improving raw material and packaging knowledge
• Product formulation knowledge across multiple categories.

This role is critical in shaping the future of the Yeo Valley Product Portfolio.

Below are some of the key responsibilities for this role:

• Assist in the co-ordination, production and delivery of kitchen samples.
• Liaising with existing suppliers for new ingredients within a set list of parameters.
• Collaborate with Process Development teams to identify opportunities for process improvements and EPD modifications.
• Support with customer engagement and supporting customer presentations.
• Conduct market reviews & product benchmarking to analyse competitor products to help identify new trends, opportunities and insights.
• Work with the stakeholders to ensure buy-in of new concept ideas and products to deliver “First to Market” innovation ideas
• To assist in the generation of the critical path and delivery of projects that meets the target launch date
• Prepare & maintain accurate documentation related to innovation development.

This is a full time role, working 40 hours per week, and the role is based at our Blagdon HQ.

Essential:

• Project Management - Experience in managing multiple product development projects simultaneously, with a focus on meeting deadlines. 
• Teamwork - Ability to work well with a collaborative, cross-functional team environment.
• Problem solving - Proactive and strong hands-on approach to trouble shooting
• Communication - Good verbal & written communication skills with the ability to present ideas and data clearly to technical & non-technical stakeholders

Qualifications:

• Food qualification or previous related food manufacturing experience in Innovation
• Minimum 2 years of post-graduate experience in a food process NPD role.

Desirable Skills:

• Industry Knowledge - Working knowledge of relevant legislation criteria and food production industry standards/HACCP

Personal Attributes:

• Detail-Oriented - Attention to detail in both product development and documentation
• Adaptability - Able to work in a fast-paced environment and adjust to changing priorities & project timelines. Resilience and supporting others are key
• Tenacious & “can do” attitude
• Self-driven with a growth mindset & can use initiative
• Hands on & practical approach to working
• Good IT skills - Microsoft and database systems

We’re independent, British and proud to be making the highest quality yogurts, desserts and ice cream under the Yeo Valley brand and for many of the UK’s major retailers. Operating from four dairies and two logistics centres in Somerset and Devon, we employ over 1700 staff and produce more than 25% of the UK’s packaged yogurt.

We’re sure you don’t need convincing, but there’s a whole host of benefits that we offer including:

• competitive holiday allowance
• non-contributory pension scheme
• life cover
• healthcare cash back plan
• cycle to work scheme
• subsidised Yeo Valley products and services
• preferential rates with our partners
• annual bonus (as part of the Employee Benefit Trust, based on company performance for the year)
• learning and development opportunities; we’re committed to ensuring all of our employees have the chance to grow

Our closing dates are a guide for when the application window should close, although we may close the advert sooner if we can. So, we recommend you get your application in straight away – and don’t miss the opportunity to join us!

Unfortunately, we’re not able to provide employment sponsorship to candidates at this moment in time.

Please note that Yeo Valley do not accept speculative agency applications; we will only accept applications from preferred suppliers that have been submitted to us via our recruitment portal at the point of instruction.