Junior Product Developer

About the Company

Years is a fast-growing business focused on creating better dog food. In only three years, it has built a strong start-up foundation, reached thousands of customers, and continues to work toward helping dogs live longer and healthier lives. The brand offers personalised, human-cut meals tailored to each dog’s needs and delivered directly to customers across the UK, with plans to expand internationally.

Role Overview

This is a hands-on early-career opportunity for someone who wants to build real products from day one rather than join a rotation programme or support function. The role sits inside the New Product Development team and supports the creation of nutrition products built on science and quality ingredients. You will take ownership of your own workstreams, manage supplier relationships, and handle deadlines within a small team where your contribution has visible impact.

The position is well suited to someone fresh from university, or with some background in food or pet food development, who is curious, proactive, and eager to learn quickly in a growing business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development work for new B&L wet and extras products, moving items from initial brief through to launch.
• Take responsibility for existing B&L extras development activity and work with suppliers to deliver updates on time and to a high standard.
• Coordinate with external suppliers and partners, ensuring communication remains clear and projects stay on schedule.
• Keep product specifications, recipes, and development records accurate and up to date across the product lifecycle.
• Assist the wider NPD team with ad hoc work such as sample preparation and smaller-scale projects.
• Monitor relevant market developments in the B&L and extras categories and feed useful insights into range discussions.

Requirements

• A degree in food science or some hands-on experience in a food or pet food development setting is preferred; both routes will be considered.
• Comfortable speaking with suppliers and other external contacts in a clear and professional manner.
• Strong planning and organisation skills, with the ability to manage several projects at once while maintaining attention to detail.
• Interest in food, ingredients, and the commercial factors that make a product successful.
• A self-starter attitude and the ability to identify what needs doing and act on it.

Benefits

• Annual salary of £28,500 to £32,000.
• Medicash Level 4 cashback plan.
• Spill EAP and mental health support programme.
• £250 annual learning and development budget for courses, books, or self-learning activities.
• £200 annual wellbeing budget.
• Up to two weeks of working abroad per year for selected roles.
• Monthly recognition through the Yappa of the Month programme.
• One volunteer day each year, with the option to support a dog-related cause or another cause of your choice.
• Subsidised employee groups, including activities such as five-a-side and padel, plus the opportunity to start your own group.
• Bi-annual subsidised team events such as axe throwing, crazy golf, and cocktail making.
• Exclusive discounts on Years products and treats for yourself, friends, and family.
• Lunch & Learn sessions covering a wide range of topics, including dog first aid and financial wellbeing.
• Casual dress code.
• Your birthday off, or an alternative day if your birthday falls on a non-working day.
• Option to sell unused holiday back to the company at the end of the holiday year, up to a maximum of one working week.

Additional Information

The role is based in Nottingham, England, United Kingdom, and is a full-time onsite position. Salary is stated as £28,500 to £32,000 per year. No vacancy count, notice period, or start date was provided.