Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis – we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category.

Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK.

POSITION: Technologist – Non-food

DIVISION/DEPT: Technical Department

REPORT TO: Technical Manager

LINE MANAGEMENT: None

LOCATION: Christchurch, Dorset – hybrid

TRAVEL: Occasional travel maybe required

The successful candidate will liaise with technical teams at both retailers and manufacturing suppliers worldwide. The successful candidate will support the Senior Technical Managers in delivering successful new product development projects; ensuring all key technical elements of a project are diligently completed and communicated to Solent’s customers.

The role will also involve travel to various locations around the world to attend factory trials, pre-production and product launches and to meet with customers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for supporting across Non-food technical product development, innovation, quality assurance and launch.
• Working with technical teams in UK and Asia to ensure all technical aspects of a project are completed, for example safety assessment, product performance testing, regulatory compliance, Product specifications and legal checks etc.
• Coordinating with the quality team to prepare the product specifications and drafting quality contracts where applicable. Ensuring awareness by customers and manufacturing suppliers for the required quality assurance.
• Check product artwork, packaging and labelling for compliance with relevant regional legislation.
• Work closely with the internal product and commercial teams to ensure all technical requirements are applied during the NPD process and new launches.
• Travel to various locations with line manager to attend factory initial visits, development trials, pre-production and product launches.
• Attend conferences, exhibitions, and trade shows to keep on top of innovations and opportunities with new materials, production techniques or products.
• Prioritise and champion Solent’s Policies on Sustainability, Innovation and Ethical manufacturing.

About you:

• Experience of technical product development and delivery to market (Desirable).
• Retail or retail supplier experience and/or brand development experience.
• Excellent people, presentation and communication skills.
• Preferred – Bachelor Degree in Chemistry or Science/ product Engineering
• Preferred – Experience in customer facing product development role.
• Good working knowledge of Quality Management Systems, HACCP, BRC, Allergen Controls, Ethical Requirements, Internal Auditing, third party and retailer accreditation systems and Codes of Practice.

In turn we offer:

• Competitive salary with annual salary reviews.
• 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years’ service and 30 days after 5 years’ service.
• Extensive benefits program including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits.
• Flexible hours and work from home available to all staff.
• Great learning and development and progression opportunities · Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets).
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave.
• Generous Company Sick Pay.
• Pension Scheme Contribution.
• Solent social events run by our inhouse Social Team.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Dress down Fridays.
• Free parking on Christchurch Quay.