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Product Developer

Job description

Product Developer

Location: UK-based with regular travel (UK & Europe)
Industry: Food Import & Retail Supply

Create. Travel. Influence. Launch Products Seen on UK Shelves.

Are you a creative, hands-on Product Developer who wants more than just desk-based development work? Do you thrive on autonomy, enjoy working directly with customers and suppliers, and want to see your ideas turn into products on retail shelves?

This is a rare opportunity to join a fast-paced, entrepreneurial food business that imports exciting products from across Europe and supplies major UK retailers. You’ll play a key role in shaping new and existing products — from concept to launch — while working closely with commercial teams, international suppliers, and retail customers.

If you’re commercially curious, technically strong, and excited by variety, ownership, and travel, this role is for you.

The Role

As Product Developer, you’ll be at the heart of the product development process. You’ll manage multiple projects end-to-end, balancing creativity with technical rigour to ensure products are safe, compliant, on-brand, and commercially successful.

This is a highly autonomous role where you’ll be trusted to own your projects, manage critical paths, and represent the business externally with confidence.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Driving new and existing product development from concept through to launch

  • Working closely with the commercial team to respond to customer briefs and identify new opportunities

  • Managing critical paths and timelines, keeping projects on track and launches on time

  • Preparing high-quality samples and customer submissions for retail presentations and visits

  • Coordinating pre-production trials, product assessments, and sign-off processes

  • Supporting product testing, nutritional analysis, and organoleptic evaluations

  • Conducting retail benchmarking and market reviews, identifying trends and insights

  • Collaborating directly with European suppliers on new product ideas and improvements

  • Representing the product development function in meetings with key customers and suppliers

  • Supporting specification and artwork approval for retail customers

  • Maintaining high standards within the NPD kitchen and storage areas

What We’re Looking For

You’ll be someone who enjoys responsibility, variety, and being close to the commercial action.

  • A creative thinker with a passion for food and innovation

  • Solid technical knowledge of food science, ingredients, and food legislation

  • Confident communicator who enjoys working with customers and suppliers

  • Highly organised with the ability to juggle multiple projects

  • Hands-on, pragmatic, and solutions-focused

  • Strong attention to detail with a “right first time” mindset

  • Curious, enthusiastic, and keen to keep learning

  • Comfortable working independently while contributing to team success

Why Join?

  • Autonomy & ownership – you’ll truly run your own projects

  • International exposure – work with European suppliers and travel as part of the role

  • Customer-facing – build real relationships with retailers and partners

  • Creative freedom – bring ideas to life, not just maintain existing products

  • Commercial visibility – work closely with senior stakeholders and decision-makers

  • A business that values initiative, accountability, and fresh thinking

If you’re ready to step into a Product Developer role where your creativity, technical expertise, and personality can shine — and where no two days look the same — we’d love to hear from you.

If you’d like, I can also:

  • Make it more junior / graduate-friendly

  • Make it more senior / experienced

  • Adapt it for LinkedIn, Indeed, or a recruitment pack