Product Developer
| Posting date: | 08 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £40,000 per annum |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 07 February 2026 |
| Location: | Redhill |
| Company: | The Compleat Food Group |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 1553 |
Summary
Job Advert
Product Developer
Join Our Finance at The Compleat Food Group!
We’re excited to offer an excellent opportunity for Product Developer join our dedicated NPD team in Redhill.
About The Compleat Food Group
At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to
create Food to Feel Good - great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat.
We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real
Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio,
we’re a leading supplier of delicious own-label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added-value egg products,
continental meats, dips and sauces and plant-based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice.
With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape
the future of food for the better.
We are backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners.
Working Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8:30am-5pm & Friday: 8:30am-4pm
Location: Redhill
Salary: £40,000 per annum
Job Purpose:
The role is responsible for developing new products and adapting existing ones to meet customer and brand briefs, ensuring they
deliver commercial targets and are successfully scaled up to production. It also involves building positive internal and external
relationships to deliver high-quality product launches on time.
Key Duties, Responsibilities & Accountabilities:
* Responsible for developing products on time and to budget
* Supporting the delivery of the innovation agenda - building the pipeline of ideas, supporting scoping new projects and actively
participating in internal and external innovation sessions.
* Ensure concepts are relevant for audience and meet strategic goals
* First point of contact for customers for development - building positive pro-active relationships with customer product
development teams
* Working collaboratively with cross-functional team to ensure feasibility of products that are developed in line with TCFG and
customer strategy and policies.
* Leading the product presentation in the feasibility meeting.
* Actively working with teams to solve issues and ensure concepts are able to be made to scale and meet sustainability criteria
* Working with culinary teams (where required) to create and refine recipes and packaging team to develop appropriate packaging
solutions. Assisting with sourcing and viability of new RMs.
* Ensuring Recipe Professor is accurate throughout the process.
* Create and/or ensure accurate NPD paperwork (feasibility documents, submission forms, handovers, nutritional info etc)
* Ensure product recipes meet appropriate food quality standards alongside commercial targets and within brand standards.
* Ensure benchmarking is carried out accurately and comprehensively present at internal and external presentations.
* Actively demonstrate passion for food and a good understanding of market and food trends.
* Compile critical paths and lead the ownership of these - escalating issues and mitigating risks to ensure product launches on
time
* Attend factory trials and sign off panels to ensure production quality matches the kitchen quality signed off by the customer
* All projects to be logged and tracker maintained to allow for accurate and frequent business reporting
* Consideration and inclusion of ESG objectives for development. Supporting data input and collation as required.
* Checking and approving artwork to ensure it meets specification and marketing requirements
* Manage team performance and personal development utilising One Compleat Framework (where required)
* Acting as the 'go to' NPD contact for home site - supporting the wider central NPD team with product knowledge, product sign
off and general support at site level when required
Key Performance Indicators:
* Feedback from peers and customers
* Quality & accuracy of information
* Timely and accurate completion of tasks
* Appropriate and timely escalation
* Building a demonstrable understanding of RM parameters and production requirements
* Facilitating successful feasibility presentations
* Confidence in providing intelligent solutions to problem solving
* Gaining and developing knowledge to independently propose recipe development solutions
* Develop awareness of costing pitfalls/robustness of costing provided
* Understanding the appropriate level of challenge in taste panels and supporting the resolution of issues
* Support the delivery of ESG targets and building them proactively into product development
Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
Qualifications:
* Food based degree - desirable
* 3 years plus experience in retail or FMCG product development role
Key Skills:
* Extensive knowledge of product launch process ideally within FMCG environment
* Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
* Strong planning, organisation and project management skills
* Good analytical and numeracy skills
* Attention to detail
* Good level of computer literacy – Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Teams – Recipe Professor desirable
* Understanding of UK and European food regulation and legislation
* Driving Licence - desirable
Why Join Us?
At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits
designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing and career growth:
Financial & Lifestyle Benefits:
* Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
* 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra
* Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform
* Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
* Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
* EV charging points - available at selected sites
Health & Wellbeing:
* 24/7 access to Grocery Aid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
* Physical Wellbeing Hub - free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts
* Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes
* Online wellbeing support - from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
* Financial wellbeing tools - including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid
Career Growth & Development:
* Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
* Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
* Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
* Company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey
* Recognition through Club Compleat rewards
Community & Culture:
* 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
* Charity initiatives and fundraising events
* Team socials to connect and celebrate together
* Employee networks & support groups - including Women @ Compleat
* New baby gift for new parents
The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We welcome
diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace.
We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves
to work. As an equal opportunity’s employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed.
Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process.
Recruitment Agencies:
We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or
unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition
team.
If you would be interested in working with us please send a message to recruitment@compleatfood.com
[recruitment@compleatfood.com] and should we have any roles we need additional support with we will reach out to you.
Product Developer
Join Our Finance at The Compleat Food Group!
We’re excited to offer an excellent opportunity for Product Developer join our dedicated NPD team in Redhill.
About The Compleat Food Group
At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to
create Food to Feel Good - great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat.
We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real
Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio,
we’re a leading supplier of delicious own-label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added-value egg products,
continental meats, dips and sauces and plant-based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice.
With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape
the future of food for the better.
We are backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners.
Working Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8:30am-5pm & Friday: 8:30am-4pm
Location: Redhill
Salary: £40,000 per annum
Job Purpose:
The role is responsible for developing new products and adapting existing ones to meet customer and brand briefs, ensuring they
deliver commercial targets and are successfully scaled up to production. It also involves building positive internal and external
relationships to deliver high-quality product launches on time.
Key Duties, Responsibilities & Accountabilities:
* Responsible for developing products on time and to budget
* Supporting the delivery of the innovation agenda - building the pipeline of ideas, supporting scoping new projects and actively
participating in internal and external innovation sessions.
* Ensure concepts are relevant for audience and meet strategic goals
* First point of contact for customers for development - building positive pro-active relationships with customer product
development teams
* Working collaboratively with cross-functional team to ensure feasibility of products that are developed in line with TCFG and
customer strategy and policies.
* Leading the product presentation in the feasibility meeting.
* Actively working with teams to solve issues and ensure concepts are able to be made to scale and meet sustainability criteria
* Working with culinary teams (where required) to create and refine recipes and packaging team to develop appropriate packaging
solutions. Assisting with sourcing and viability of new RMs.
* Ensuring Recipe Professor is accurate throughout the process.
* Create and/or ensure accurate NPD paperwork (feasibility documents, submission forms, handovers, nutritional info etc)
* Ensure product recipes meet appropriate food quality standards alongside commercial targets and within brand standards.
* Ensure benchmarking is carried out accurately and comprehensively present at internal and external presentations.
* Actively demonstrate passion for food and a good understanding of market and food trends.
* Compile critical paths and lead the ownership of these - escalating issues and mitigating risks to ensure product launches on
time
* Attend factory trials and sign off panels to ensure production quality matches the kitchen quality signed off by the customer
* All projects to be logged and tracker maintained to allow for accurate and frequent business reporting
* Consideration and inclusion of ESG objectives for development. Supporting data input and collation as required.
* Checking and approving artwork to ensure it meets specification and marketing requirements
* Manage team performance and personal development utilising One Compleat Framework (where required)
* Acting as the 'go to' NPD contact for home site - supporting the wider central NPD team with product knowledge, product sign
off and general support at site level when required
Key Performance Indicators:
* Feedback from peers and customers
* Quality & accuracy of information
* Timely and accurate completion of tasks
* Appropriate and timely escalation
* Building a demonstrable understanding of RM parameters and production requirements
* Facilitating successful feasibility presentations
* Confidence in providing intelligent solutions to problem solving
* Gaining and developing knowledge to independently propose recipe development solutions
* Develop awareness of costing pitfalls/robustness of costing provided
* Understanding the appropriate level of challenge in taste panels and supporting the resolution of issues
* Support the delivery of ESG targets and building them proactively into product development
Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
Qualifications:
* Food based degree - desirable
* 3 years plus experience in retail or FMCG product development role
Key Skills:
* Extensive knowledge of product launch process ideally within FMCG environment
* Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
* Strong planning, organisation and project management skills
* Good analytical and numeracy skills
* Attention to detail
* Good level of computer literacy – Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Teams – Recipe Professor desirable
* Understanding of UK and European food regulation and legislation
* Driving Licence - desirable
Why Join Us?
At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits
designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing and career growth:
Financial & Lifestyle Benefits:
* Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
* 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra
* Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform
* Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
* Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
* EV charging points - available at selected sites
Health & Wellbeing:
* 24/7 access to Grocery Aid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
* Physical Wellbeing Hub - free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts
* Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes
* Online wellbeing support - from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
* Financial wellbeing tools - including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid
Career Growth & Development:
* Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
* Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
* Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
* Company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey
* Recognition through Club Compleat rewards
Community & Culture:
* 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
* Charity initiatives and fundraising events
* Team socials to connect and celebrate together
* Employee networks & support groups - including Women @ Compleat
* New baby gift for new parents
The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We welcome
diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace.
We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves
to work. As an equal opportunity’s employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed.
Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process.
Recruitment Agencies:
We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or
unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition
team.
If you would be interested in working with us please send a message to recruitment@compleatfood.com
[recruitment@compleatfood.com] and should we have any roles we need additional support with we will reach out to you.