Concept Technologist

Role Responsibility

First Class Concept Development (NFD & EFD):

o  Accurate process set up

o  Packaging understanding and application

o  Deep labour understanding working with site teams to verify theory

o  Theoretical concept data for directional application.

o  Costing accuracy for business led decisions.

• Validate innovation concepts for cooking and shelf life.
• Ensure all food is developed in accordance with our brand values and nutritional guidelines. Implement the derogation process for all NFD or EFD developments.
• Consider production implications and ensure the chefs take these into consideration when developing new food.
• Cost all new food ensuring it meets the margin targets with costs approved internally before being presented to the customer/Brand Tastings or other sign off forums.
• Buy product benchmarks and conduct tastings to assess all relevant food concepts in order to ensure we are always developing best in class food.
• Taste food over its shelf-life from fresh / frozen and that customers accept the quality at each stage of the product life.
• Prepare and deliver professional food presentations that show detail of recipe, ingredients, costs, brand values, nutritionals, cooking method for each food submission.
• Complete all concept development documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
• Identify and embed documentation process & paperwork improvements to drive efficiency. 

COGS & Pricing Owner:

• Owning the pricing and ingredient set up of all NRM working with supply chain, procurement and finance
• Owning the COGs management and pricing scenarios for all NFD/EFD dishes to support the NFD/EFD managers and project requirements.
• Future proofing COGS by working through financial year impacts and pricing fluctuations 

New raw material expert: 

• Collaborate with Procurement and Technical teams to source new raw materials for NFD and EFD projects, using ingredient briefing forms to define clear quality specifications and meet critical path deadlines.
• Work closely with the Technical team to ensure final specifications are approved on time and that all materials meet the company’s commercial, technical and operational requirements.
• Ensure new raw materials align with Brand Values, including working with Technical to understand any back-of-pack labelling implications.
• Partner with Procurement to ensure ordering requirements, delivery patterns and MLORs support production schedules and kitchen operations.
• Attend New Raw Material meetings and maintain accurate sourcing documentation, status trackers and project updates.
• Manage the impact of new raw materials on project critical paths, working with the EFD and NFD Managers to ensure concept development and trial activity remain viable.
• Develop strong knowledge of the supplier base to support Procurement in identifying the most appropriate ingredient and supplier combinations.
• Help resolve ingredient supply issues and sourcing challenges as required.. 

NFD Meetings:

• Attend the weekly NFD and Process meeting
• Complete feasibility forms & concept handover forms.
• Support the NFD or EFD manager with putting all new food through the feasibility process before being shown to site teams.
• Ensure chefs have products, sub mix and are ready to demonstrate products in the feasibility or concept handover meetings.                                                        

   Ad-hoc project leadership and Stakeholder management & alignment

The Ideal Candidate

Qualifications and Experience:

• A genuine love for food.
• Experience with either NFD or EFD programmes.
• Previous food manufacturing experience, preferably chilled meals would be preferred.
• Food Technology or Food science-based degree

Key Skills:

• A confident communicator who is informative and engaging
• Numerate with strong analytical skills
• Highly accurate
• Organised, able to manage and prioritise multiple tasks.
• Focused with excellent attention to detail.
• Good interpersonal skills.

Key Attributes:

• Passionate about great food and ingredient
• Positive ‘Can Do’ attitude.
• Full of drive & energy.
• Enjoys being part of a team.
• Creative and Innovative.
• Independent and proactive.
• A good networker
• Proactive
• Proud
• Comfortable in introducing and implementing change