Location: Histon, Cambridgeshire | Department: New Product Development (NPD)
Are you a creative foodie with a passion for developing exciting new products? We’re looking for a Product Development Assistant to support our fast-paced NPD team in bringing innovative, commercially viable food products from concept to launch.
This is an ideal role for someone looking to gain hands-on experience and grow into a future Product Developer. You’ll work closely with experienced developers and cross-functional teams, gaining valuable insight across every stage of the development process.
Roles & Responsibilities
Product Development
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Support the creation of product concepts in response to NPD briefs
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Formulate recipes that align with factory capabilities and cost targets
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Use costing tools to assess raw material cost implications
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Coordinate sourcing of new raw materials and work with technical on ingredient approval
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Prepare product samples and provide supporting documentation for customer presentations
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Organise and conduct taste panels, competitive benchmarking, and product reviews
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Maintain accurate product files, recipe records, and development paperwork
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Support internal concept meetings and customer presentations
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Ensure all work complies with customer codes of practice and internal quality standards
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Maintain excellent housekeeping in development areas
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Work to strict deadlines and deliver objectives at pace
Customer Relationship Management
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Build and maintain strong relationships with retailer Product Developers and Technologists
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Ensure consistent and effective communication throughout the development process
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Help plan customer visits and prepare supporting materials
What You’ll Need
Education & Experience
Skills & Personal Attributes
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Full driving licence (essential due to travel requirements)
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Passionate about food with a creative, hands-on approach
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Basic culinary skills and a good understanding of food preparation
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Strong communication and organisational skills
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Positive attitude and flexible mindset
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Willing to travel between sites and stay overnight when required
Work Environment
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Primarily kitchen-based with time spent in chilled environments
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Involves handling and preparing food, plus travel to suppliers, factories, and customers
What can we offer you?
- Competitive salary / rate of pay
- 25 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holiday
- Option to purchase additional annual leave
- A day off work to support our charity partners
- Flexible working options
- Pension
- Medical benefit
- And access to a HUB that offers many discounts from a range of suppliers and retailers
About The Hain Celestial Group
Hain Celestial Group is a leading health and wellness company whose purpose is to inspire healthier living for people, communities and the planet through better-for-you brands. For more than 30 years, our portfolio of beloved brands has intentionally focused on delivering nutrition and well-being that positively impacts today and tomorrow. Headquartered in Hoboken, N.J., Hain Celestial’s products across snacks, baby/kids, beverages, meal preparation, and personal care, are marketed and sold in over 75 countries around the world. Our leading brands include Garden Veggie™ snacks, Terra® chips, Garden of Eatin’® snacks, Earth’s Best® and Ella’s Kitchen® baby and kids foods, Celestial Seasonings® teas, Joya® and Natumi® plant-based beverages, Greek Gods® yogurt, Cully & Sully®, Imagine® and New Covent Garden® soups, Yves® and Linda McCartney’s® (under license) meat-free, and Alba Botanica® natural sun care, among others.
Hain Celestial UK
In the UK, Hain is one of the UK's leading food companies. We create food and drink products with natural goodness at their core. We're the business behind a host of household brands - Hartley's jams and jellies, Sun-Pat peanut butters, New Covent Garden Soup Co., Linda McCartney's meat free food, and Yorkshire Provender to name a few. Nearly half of our business is private label - we create quality freshly prepared fruit and juices, desserts, soups, sweet spreads and meat free products for our retail partners.
Over our sites up and down the UK, we employ circa 1,200 people in roles within Production, Supply Chain, Product Development, Sales and Marketing, and through to our Finance, HR, IT and beyond. Each of our colleagues is vital to our continued success. That's why we target the best talent, and help to develop them through the ranks.
Our Values
Own It – I am empowered and accountable for improving Hain’s business results and impact
Win Together – I collaborate with others to grow, deliver and celebrate success.
Foster Inclusion – I create an environment where everyone feels welcome, respected and valued for their uniqueness.
Be Curious – I explore ideas & insights with a growth mindset.
Our Purpose
To inspire healthier living for people, communities & the planet through better-for-you brands
Our Mission
To build purpose-driven brands that make healthier living more attainable by empowering our people, engaging our partners, and living our lives.
If you need reasonable adjustments made to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can support you in the right way.
If Hain sounds like the company you'd like to contribute your energy and enthusiasm towards, and come on an exciting journey with us, then we can't wait to hear from you!