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Senior Process Technologist

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Senior Process Technologist
Somerset | £38,000 - £45,000 | Full-time, permanent
Zest Recruitment is delighted to be partnering with an established manufacturer in the plant-based and dairy space to recruit a Senior Process Development Technologist. This is a brilliant opportunity for a hands-on NPD professional who thrives on turning concepts into successful, efficient factory processes and who enjoys being at the heart of the action.
Reporting to the NPD Manager, you'll lead the process development stage of new product development, taking concept recipes and process methodology through bench, pilot and full plant trials. You'll aim to deliver "right first time" across quality, yield and cost, working in line with site HACCP controls.
The role:
- Lead all aspects of the NPD process stage — managing and supporting development through bench, pilot and main plant trials, with hands-on delivery
- Own trials end to end: setting up documentation, hosting pre-trial and launch meetings, and coordinating sign-off with Operations and Technical
- Take joint responsibility for trial and first-production
- Ensure blend sheets carry accurate allergen, PPE, spec and processing information to drive right-first-time delivery
- Build strong relationships with customers and act as the NPD lead for customer attendance at factory trials
- Generate trial and launch reports for internal and customer sharing, feeding feedback into final documentation and QAS
- Support the wider NPD team with day-to-day tasks
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About you:
- Food-related qualification and at least 3 years' experience in a food manufacturing environment
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines
- HACCP L2/3 qualified legal labelling knowledge advantageous
- Comprehensive understanding of plant, processes and products, with a logical, methodical approach
- Confident communicator who works well cross-functionally with Technical, Operations and Quality
- Fully computer literate with good Excel skills
- Self-motivated, commercially aware and flexible on customer visits and cover
- A keen interest in food


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
This is a fantastic role for someone ready to take real ownership of process development within a collaborative, fast-moving team in a growing category.
To find out more and for a confidential conversation please contact Danielle Bailey on db@zestfoodjobs.co.uk or 01780 483 999.
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