New Product Development Specialist

About the Role

We are hiring a driven and inventive New Product Development (NPD) Specialist to support a major food manufacturing operation in Riyadh. The role focuses on taking bakery, pastry, confectionery, and dessert ideas from early concept all the way to market release, with attention to product quality, production scalability, cost control, and current consumer and market demand.

Key Responsibilities

• Create new bakery, pastry, confectionery, and dessert items from the initial idea stage through to commercial rollout.
• Refine current products to improve quality, consistency, and cost-effectiveness.
• Run product trials, pilot batches, and on-site factory verification activities.
• Work closely with Production, Quality, Procurement, and Commercial stakeholders throughout development.
• Develop product specifications, recipes, formulas, and technical records.
• Assess ingredients and raw materials for new development projects.
• Assist with factory adoption, scaling efforts, and successful launch execution.
• Track market movements, customer preferences, and competitor offerings to spot innovation opportunities.
• Maintain compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate should hold a bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, or a similar discipline, and bring 3–5 years of experience in new product development within food manufacturing. Hands-on exposure to bakery, pastry, confectionery, dessert, or snack product development is important, along with a strong grasp of ingredients, formulation work, and manufacturing methods. Experience with product trials, validation exercises, and plant-scale implementation is required. The role also calls for strong analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, communication skills, and good English proficiency.

Preferred Industry Experience

• Industrial bakery manufacturing
• Confectionery production
• Pastry and dessert manufacturing
• Snack food manufacturing
• FMCG food manufacturing
• Central kitchen and commissary operations

Additional Information

This position is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and is offered as a full-time, onsite role. The vacancy is with AlKhalejiah (الخليجية).

Compensation

No salary or stipend details were provided.