Innovation & Development Technologist, Pizza (12 months fixed term)

Innovation & Development Technologist, Pizza (12 months fixed term)

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

About Us

Since our beginnings at Dr. Oetker, 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! At. Dr. Oetker, you can actively shape the future – both yours and ours. We want to be part of something bigger. Don't you?

As a global, family run business our culture is really important to us. All of our employees are inspired and motivated to create a competitive advantage in the market place for our customers and consumers, whilst having fun at the same time!

JOIN THE TASTE.

About the Role

We have an opportunity for I&D technologist to join our I&D team working within the pizza team, on a fixed-term 12 month contract.

The Leyland facility is where 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 proudly make Dr. Oetker and Chicago Town branded pizzas. This role will manage product development from concept brief through to full production, with a particular focus on pizza crust development, while working cross-functionally with Marketing, Sales, Operations, Quality and Continuous Improvement.

Key Responsibilities

- Develop new product concepts and existing product improvements through all aspects of the product development process, from concept brief to full production, specialising in pizza crust development.

- Agree quality standards for all new and relaunched products with Marketing, Operations and Quality, ensuring they are clearly communicated to Production and Quality teams before first production.

- Proactively identify innovative product concepts through market trends, food exhibitions, food safaris, ideation sessions, competitor benchmarking and collaboration with external suppliers.

- Work with Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement and Quality to identify and implement process, product quality, efficiency and nutritional improvements in line with brand guidelines, while keeping development documentation and specification information accurate and up to date for SAP and PDM.

About You

- A strong understanding of food ingredients, product formulation and the end-to-end product development process.

- A relevant food science or technical qualification, such as an NVQ, diploma or degree. Product development experience within the food industry is desirable

- A confident communicator with a personable and professional manner, able to build strong, trusted working relationships with colleagues at all levels and across departments.

- The ability to work to high standards in a rapidly changing environment, balancing short-term, time-pressured goals with long-term strategic objectives and multiple projects, while demonstrating practical problem-solving skills.

Location

The role will be based from our Leyland Office, with free on-site parking. We’re currently working to a hybrid model where a minimum of 2 days per week are spent in the office. You may be required to travel to our Leeds Head Office and other external locations to meet business requirements.

Benefits

The I&D Technologist role offers a competitive salary alongside additional benefits including:

- 25 days’ annual leave, excluding bank holidays, increasing with service

- Hybrid working pattern

- Free life assurance at four times basic annual salary

- Enhanced Company Sick Pay

- Salary sacrifice pension scheme

- Private medical insurance and health care cash plan through BUPA

- Enhanced family-friendly leave

- Free pizzas, tea, coffee and fresh fruit

- Subsidised on-site restaurant

- Free on-site parking, Wi-Fi and access to electric vehicle charging points

- Employee referral, suggestion, recognition and loyalty schemes

- Cycle to Work Scheme, free health checks and free eye test vouchers

Next Steps

Click “Apply now” to submit your application. For any enquiries, we’re available at [email protected] .

We look forward to your online application. Just click the "Apply now" button, and you're good to go. Still have questions? Then please feel free to reach out to us directly.

Dr. Oetker is an equal opportunities employer. We continuously work to shape and live in a corporate culture where everyone feels welcome. At Dr. Oetker, your personality and qualifications are what count. Not gender, nationality, ethnic or social background, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation, and identity.

Dr. Oetker (UK) Limited