Product Developer (Productivity) - 6 Month FTC

Advert Location: Histon, Cambridgeshire - Contract: Full-time, 6-month FTC

We’re looking for a passionate and proactive Product Developer to support the R&D team in delivering high-quality, commercially viable food products. This role plays a key part in driving productivity and cost-saving initiatives , ensuring projects are delivered to time, spec, and margin expectations. You’ll be hands-on with concept creation, trials, sample preparation, and process development—contributing directly to the successful launch of new products across our portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Sample Management (30%)
• Organise, label, and distribute samples for internal and customer review
• Prepare repeat kitchen samples using standard and new ingredients
• Coordinate couriers and maintain stock rotation of kitchen ingredients
• Concept Development (25%)
• Support the development of concepts in line with customer and brand expectations
• Ensure all NPD processes and approval steps are followed
• Input into costings and customer submission forms
• Organise and present panels to internal stakeholders and occasionally to customers
• Attend supplier meetings when needed
• Process Development (25%)
• Support factory trials, set-up, and post-trial data collection
• Ensure accurate documentation and product file completion
• Contribute to process improvements for faster, more cost-effective delivery
• Customer Communication (10%)
• Maintain consistent communication with both internal and external stakeholders
• Stay informed on customer requirements and ensure relevant teams are briefed
• Team Collaboration (10%)
• Track and manage spend against department budgets
• Actively support other team members and cross-functional departments
• Uphold hygiene, safety, and company standards in all workspaces

What You’ll Need

Education & Experience

• Degree in a food-related subject
• At least 1 year’s experience in product development (preferably chilled products)
• Experience managing development timelines and contributing to cross-functional projects
• Strong understanding of financials, including basic costings

Key Skills & Competencies

• Creative and curious, with strong culinary instincts
• Excellent communicator with good organisational skills
• Collaborative mindset and able to build relationships across teams
• Flexible and positive approach to new challenges
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to hygiene and quality

Other Requirements

• Full driving licence (due to travel between sites, suppliers, and stores)
• Willingness to travel and stay overnight when needed
• Comfortable working in kitchen and chilled factory environments
• Able to work extended hours during peak project phases if required

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!

Qualifications

Benefits Not Specified