Food Innovation Assistant
| Posting date: | 04 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £24,800 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 03 April 2026 |
| Location: | Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 1AA |
| Company: | CPM United Kingdom Limited |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | HOFIA001_1772617722 |
Summary
Food Innovation Assistant
Ideal location: Leeds, United Kingdom, LS11
About the Role
We have an exciting opportunity for an Innovation Assistant to support the delivery of Own Brand innovation across the ASDA business. This role plays a key part in bringing new and innovative products to life, supporting sampling activity, product sign-off processes and the smooth day-to-day operation of the Own Brand Kitchen facilities.
Working closely with Product Managers and wider stakeholders, you'll help ensure innovation is showcased effectively, processes run smoothly and standards are consistently high.
What You'll Be Doing
- Build and deliver the Own Brand Sampling Plan, aligned to NPD and seasonal cycles
- Manage and track the annual sampling budget, ensuring spend remains on target
- Coordinate weekly Product Sign Off (Brand Panel) meetings, ensuring sessions run to time and feedback is shared with stakeholders
- Support the day-to-day running of the Own Brand Kitchen Facilities
- Manage the kitchen booking system to ensure efficient use of space
- Maintain kitchen cleaning records and carry out regular inventories
- Coordinate equipment calibration and maintenance as required
- Organise chillers and freezers to maximise efficiency for Product Managers
- Manage food charity donation processes and trackers to reduce waste
- Act as an Own Brand Ambassador, supporting PR events, product showcases, exec walk rounds and award nominations
- Support the shopping and coordination of Own Brand product showcases
What We're Looking For
- Strong organisational and time-management skills
- Confident managing multiple activities and stakeholders
- Excellent communication and people skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Passionate about food, innovation and delivering great product experiences
- Comfortable engaging and influencing wider teams and senior stakeholders.
- This role will work on-site at Asda House 5 days across Monday to Friday and work outside standard hours may be required.
What We Offer
- £24,800 per annum
- 26 days annual leave + bank holidays, increasing annually up to 31 days (pro rata)
- Life assurance (2x salary)
- Private Medical Insurance with Bupa
- Employer pension contribution
- Income protection
- Buy/sell holiday scheme
- Eyecare scheme (up to £80 per year)
- Retail discounts and promotions
- Reward and recognition programme
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
CPM have won the Investors in People Gold award and place great importance on the training and development of our people.
Why work for us
At CPM, we are proud to foster an inclusive work environment. We believe in a workplace that celebrates the unique perspectives and skills of all individuals believing this makes us stronger and more innovative.
We work in a collaborative environment where great ideas and achievements are shared and celebrated. We believe diversity brings new thinking, which is at the heart of everything we do. We are working to set a standard for creating a culture of equity and belonging.