NPD Technologist

About ABP

ABP is one of the foremost privately owned agribusiness corporations in Europe and stands as the largest beef processor across Ireland and the UK. The company also maintains significant operations in renewable energy (Olleco), pet food production (C&D), and protein sectors. Employing over 14,000 individuals and running more than 50 manufacturing facilities across nine countries, ABP fosters a culture of growth and leadership development through comprehensive training programs and a graduate pathway.

Role Overview

We are looking to recruit an NPD Technologist to join our team located in Cahir, County Tipperary. This position is critical to spearheading the development and launch of new and enhanced product lines, ensuring projects are managed efficiently from inception to market introduction while maintaining stringent quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate samples, conduct pre-production trials, and support initial production runs.
• Guide product setup and production decisions to fulfill food safety and quality requirements.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive specifications for all finished products.
• Possess expert knowledge and responsibility for various customer-utilized software platforms.
• Engage in continuous research to innovate and update product concepts.
• Manage ingredient and packaging development, including costing and validation for all projects.
• Collaborate closely with key customers to meet their expectations and seize commercial opportunities.
• Work with cross-functional teams — including operations, quality, and commercial units — to address challenges in current and new product developments.
• Stay informed on market trends, consumer expectations, and regulatory requirements.
• Organize and lead taste panels and benchmarking sessions.
• Coordinate research, development, and launch efforts across departments and customers for new product lines.
• Handle customer queries and complaints regarding external ingredients and packaging suppliers alongside the QA team; perform root cause analysis and initiate sustainable corrective measures.
• Ensure all NPD procedures, documentation, and systems comply with customer standards and industry best practices.

Candidate Profile

• Degree holder in Food Technology, Food Science, Nutritional Science, Food Innovation, or Culinary Arts.
• Strong passion and keen interest in food industry developments.
• Commercially aware with an aptitude for business considerations.
• Experience in the meat sector is preferred but not mandatory.
• Sound understanding of food and meat processing technologies.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Creative mindset geared towards identifying new opportunities.
• Capable of working independently with strong organizational discipline.
• Energetic, self-driven, flexible, and motivated in all professional aspects.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and other relevant software tools.

Benefits

• Access to a bike-to-work program.
• Participation in company social events.
• Support through an employee assistance program.
• Involvement in wellness initiatives.