NPI Technologist

The Vacancy
NPI Technologist
Craigavon
Join Our Product & Innovation Team
Are you passionate about food innovation, product development and bringing exciting new products to market? At Pilgrim's Europe , we are looking for an enthusiastic and driven NPI Technologist to support the successful delivery of new product launches from concept through to production.
This is an exciting opportunity to work within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure products are launched right first time while meeting customer expectations, technical standards and business objectives.
About the Role
Reporting to the NPI Manager or Senior NPI Technologist, you will support the management of commercially approved products throughout the development and launch process. You will help coordinate trials, validate processes, ensure technical requirements are met and drive projects through key milestones to achieve successful product launches.
You will also play a key role in continuous improvement activities, identifying opportunities to improve production efficiency, profitability and product quality.
Key Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of successful "right first time" product launches.
• Assist in managing day-to-day NPI activities and project timelines.
• Work closely with NPD, Commercial, Customer, Engineering, Production and Quality teams to ensure launch targets are achieved.
• Coordinate product trials and first production runs, ensuring all documentation is completed and approved.
• Support technical validation activities including nutritional analysis, shelf-life verification and cooking validations.
• Assist with developing and improving factory processes to meet customer and site requirements.
• Help prepare Quality Attribute Sheets, pack sheets and stage photography for launches.
• Support artwork sign-off processes and technical specification reviews.
• Attend and coordinate pre-launch meetings, ensuring all launch documentation is in place.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, yield improvements and line efficiency enhancements.
• Maintain and update NPI documentation and controlled records.
• Ensure all Health & Safety standards and procedures are followed.
• Support delivery of Product & Innovation KPI targets and business objectives.
• Analyse current production processes and recommend improvements, including potential equipment investments.
• Travel to other sites and customer locations when required.

What We're Looking For
Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent organisational and project management abilities.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Experience working in a food manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of food safety, legislation and product labelling requirements.
• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Confidence in managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• A passion for continuous improvement and delivering results.

Desirable

• Relevant food industry qualification and/or experience in Product Development, NPI or Food Manufacturing.

Leadership & Development
As part of the role, you may assist with coaching and supporting colleagues, contributing to performance discussions, development planning and employee engagement initiatives to help build a high-performing team culture.
Why Join Pilgrim's Europe?
At Pilgrim's Europe, our values shape everything we do:

• Availability - We embrace new challenges and opportunities.
• Humility - We listen, respect and value others' opinions.
• Discipline - We deliver on our commitments.
• Sincerity - We are open, honest and respectful.
• Ownership - We take responsibility and drive results.
• Determination - We strive for excellence in everything we do.
• Simplicity - We focus on what matters most.

If you're looking for a role where you can make a real impact, help launch innovative products and contribute to one of Europe's leading food businesses, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and be part of the future of food innovation at Pilgrim's Europe.
Our Story
Pilgrim's Europe produces some of the best-known and most iconic brands in the UK and Ireland, including Fridge Raiders, Rollover, Denny, Richmond, Oakhouse and Moy Park, alongside a diverse range of industry leading own-label products in categories including fresh pork, lamb and chicken, working with all the major retailers and food service outlets.
Our portfolio extends to authentic chilled and frozen ready meals, snacking ranges, added value and food service products.
Across Pilgrim's Europe we combine 20,000 of the best people in the industry, united by a shared set of core values and a passion for producing the highest quality, most delicious and innovative food, which is enjoyed by millions of people in the UK, Ireland and Europe every day. Our Pilgrim's Europe team are based in our Pilgrim's UK, Moy Park, Pilgrim's Food Masters and Pilgrim's Shared Services businesses.
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