Graduate New Product Development Programme 2022

At Dunbia no two days will be the same. If you’re looking for a career in a fast- paced, challenging, but rewarding, environment which challenges you to think outside the box then this programme is for you. We’re offering you an opportunity through our graduate scheme to ensure you thrive and gain invaluable on-the-job experience.

As an NPD Graduate, you will work as part of a dedicated, driven and supportive team, as your skills and knowledge develop over time, you will get involved in all aspects of NPD within the business and your responsibility will increase.

The role

Joining the company through the Graduate Programme, your role will provide you with an opportunity to understand the business, build strong relationships, participate in continuous improvement projects and set career objectives, all of which are about preparing you for a leadership role, supporting the development of your skills and knowledge and helping you gain the necessary experience to ensure that you have a successful and fulfilling career within the NPD department of Dunbia.

This role will be located in Cross Hands. 

Key responsibilities 

• Supporting and managing the NPD process to ensure new and re-developed products are launched successfully, delivered efficiently, in a timely and cost-effective manner, and in conjunction with all appropriate stakeholders.
• Working closely with production and quality control to support the strengthening of relationships with all existing and new customers, ensuring you provide the highest level of customer service and support at every opportunity.
• Carrying out the necessary practical and administrative duties with respect to departmental BRC and internal audit procedures.
• Working closely with the Technical Account Manager to ensure that all information relevant to specifications, procedures and analysis for products approved for launch is co-owned and co-approved between departments.
• Awareness and appropriate trending of complaints and communicating to the relevant personnel.

Other tasks might include

• Undertaking and assisting with close investigations into complaints including route cause analysis.
• Maintaining and updating the department files including SOP’s, Risk Assessments, HACCP documents and quality management documents.
• Conducting all NPD activities in accordance with Dunbia’s Policy and Procedures to meet the requirements of namely the customer, the BRC Standard, company objectives and industry best practice.
• Managing and coordinating the critical path through from customer brief to launch to ensure new and re-developed products are delivered safely and efficiently in conjunction with the culinary team, production, technical, purchasing and commercial teams.

Opportunities for learning 

• Understanding the necessity to comply with all relevant legislation ensuring we meet the necessary regulatory standards for Food Safety and Codes of Practice for of all our customers.
• Developing a strong understanding of our supply chain, processes, challenges and risks associated from a product development and food safety perspective.
• Ensuring you are familiar of all relevant food trends and food innovation by working closely with the culinary team, the commercial insights team and attend as required all appropriate food events, retail visits and inspiration days both with and without the customer.
• Working with continuous improvement mindset across all tasks.
• Being proactive and innovative in all aspects of product development initiating new processes and product improvements.
• Operating in line with our Environmental and Health & Safety standards, processes and policies.
• Gaining a comprehensive understanding of Food Safety and Quality processes within the business.
• Understanding the importance of Animal Welfare within the business.

About you

Experience

• A relevant degree;
• Level 2 Health & Safety;
• Level 3 Food Safety;
• Understanding and awareness of HSE requirements;
• Strong financial understanding and business acumen;

Specific knowledge 

• Understanding of, operating integrity, of quality processes and systems and high standards for compliance and quality;
• Some understanding and working knowledge of food science and manufacturing process;

Skills

• Highly motivated, ambitious and commercially minded;
• Excellent time management;
• Organisational skills to enable the management and development of multiple projects;
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office/Excel;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills;
• Understanding of team dynamics, demonstrating the ability to work as an active and constructive member of a team with a professional enthusiastic attitude;
• Excellent attention to detail;
• The ability to store information in a retrievable in a systematic, orderly and maintained manner
• Ability to adapt to change in highly competitive fast paced environment;
• The applicant must have the right to work in UK

Our Brighter Futures Programme

Our training and development schemes are unmatched, and not only will you be learning from fully trained and passionate individuals, but you will also receive:

• Dedicated mentor;
• Direct access to senior leaders;
• Opportunities to undertake assignments, secondments and innovative project work across the business;
• Investment in blue chip residential offsite training.