Npd jobs in Leeds

Food Safety Innovation Specialist

Salary: Competitive salary
Benefits: Company share save scheme, Competitive matched pension contributions, Life insurance up to 4 x salary
Location: Leeds
Ways of Working: Hybrid
Hours of work: 8:30am to 5:00pm - Monday to Friday
Contract Type: Permanent

Why Greencore?

Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, we’re one of the UK’s leading creators of convenience food, driven by a simple purpose: to make every day taste better.

As a vibrant and fast-moving business, we’re proud to employ over 28,000 talented colleagues across 36 manufacturing sites and 21 distribution depots in the UK and the US. Together, we bring delicious food to life. Our products cover every meal occasion from breakfast through to dinner and dessert, with lunch and snacking in between. In FY25, our shared passion helped us achieve combined revenues of approximately £4bn.

Our extensive direct to store (DTS) network, with 17 depots across the UK, allows us to deliver fresh and frozen food both our own and from trusted partners to thousands of stores every day, ensuring consumers enjoy the very best, whenever and wherever they shop.

What you’ll be doing

In this busy and exciting role you will identify, research and trial new technical processes and technologies that enhance food safety, hygiene, compliance and operational efficiency across Greencore. You will translate emerging science and innovation into practical solutions, working with partners and internal teams to validate, test and embed new ways of working.

Role Accountabilities
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• Horizon scan emerging technologies and food safety innovations aligned to future strategy
• Research and evaluate new processes, equipment and digital solutions for feasibility

• Plan and lead site trials, ensuring robust data capture, risk management and clear outcomes
• Work collaboratively with Technical, Operations, Engineering, NPD and wider teams to translate innovation into real‑world application
• Build partnerships with universities, suppliers and industry groups to access emerging science
• Develop evidence‑based recommendations that support investment, compliance and safety decisions
• Create documentation, training and knowledge‑transfer materials to support rollout
• Identify opportunities to automate, digitalise or strengthen hygiene and food safety controls
• Ensure innovation aligns to regulatory, retailer and legislative requirements
• Provide regular updates on innovation status, trial progress and technology pipelines

What we’re looking for

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• Experience in a technical, food safety, quality or hygiene role within food manufacturing
• Understanding of food safety science, hygiene processes, equipment and risk controls

• Curious, innovation‑focused mindset with the ability to spot future opportunities
• Skilled in data analysis, trial design and evaluation of technical solutions
• Ability to translate scientific and technical findings into clear business recommendations
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Comfortable working across sites and leading on‑line practical trials
• Experience with automation, digital tools or new manufacturing technologies (desirable)
• Research experience or working with academic partnerships (desirable)
• Project management or CI methodology experience (desirable)
• Degree in Food Science, Engineering, Microbiology or related technical field (desirable)At Greencore we put our people at the core. We celebrate their differences and help everyone to be themselves at work. Together we make every day taste better.

If this sounds like you, join us and grow with Greencore, and be a part of driving our future success.

What you’ll get in return
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• Competitive salary and job-related benefits
• Holidays

• Competitive matched pension contributions
• Life insurance up to 4x salary
• Company share save scheme
• Greencore Qualifications
• Exclusive Greencore employee discount platform
• Access to a full Wellbeing Centre platform
• Enhanced parental leave and menopause policiesThroughout your time at Greencore, you will be supported with on‑the‑job training and development opportunities to further your career.

Work Location: In person