We’re working with an established, growing, innovative food manufacturing business with an excellent reputation for product quality and customer service. They work with most of the major retailers and foodservice business and also supply to a number of other food manufacturing businesses. They’re now looking for a Development Technologist to join their busy NPD team.

Reporting to the Factory Manager, you will be responsible for leading and developing a large production team across a high volume, fast paced food manufacturing environment.

This is a complex site and your team will be responsible for the whole manufacturing process from materials intake through to packaging.

In addition to ensuring all the usual KPIs are achieved, you will work to promote a culture of continuous improvement with a strong emphasis on improving OEE and reducing costs and waste.

This is a hands-on leadership role, so you will be spending most of your time in the factory working to develop your team through ongoing coaching and training.

Our client is looking for an experienced, hands-on manager with demonstrable experience of leading large team, developing people and implementing change in a food or drink manufacturing environment.

Results focused, you will have a proven track record in achieving targets and KPIs but, more importantly, you will be able to use your leadership and communication sills to motivate teams and individuals in order to drive change.

You will have experience of using a range of modern manufacturing techniques and Lean/CI methodologies (eg, 5S, Kaizen, TPM, Six Sigma). There are some potential 'quick wins' here but part of your remit will be to develop an overall improvement strategy.

Formal Health & Safety qualifications (IOSH, NEBOSH) would be an advantage.