Product Developer

Grind is a coffee company that lives in London. Since opening Shoreditch Grind in 2011, we've expanded across London with cafés, coffee trucks and a state-of-the-art coffee roastery. Today, we serve millions of cups of coffee across London and the UK each year, and we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of people make better, more sustainable coffee at home. You’ll find our coffee beans, compostable coffee pods and ready-to-drink coffee cans - in supermarkets across the UK and in hotels around the world.

Based in Shoreditch, we have a team of talented people working on everything from product development to finance, to customer experience. We’re looking for someone to join our growing team and help us in building the future of Grind.

We think coffee can be a force for good. Whether it's through creating the UK's first compostable coffee pods, our plastic-free packaging or carbon-free shipping - we're on a mission to be the world's most sustainable coffee company.

In 2023, we created our charity, the Better Coffee Foundation, to undo the damage done by the global coffee industry - in our first year, we recovered 43 million pods' worth of ocean-bound plastic. We’re looking for a Product Developer to join our growing Product team at Grind.
This is a unique hybrid role, blending creative recipe development with structured NPD project management. You’ll help bring new products to life across our ready-to-drink range, coffee pods, seasonal launches, collaborations and wider grocery, B2B and D2C ranges.
Reporting into the Head of Product, you’ll support the full innovation process from trend research and concept development through to kitchen trials, supplier briefing, factory scale-up, artwork sign-off and final launch.
You’ll be hands-on with product creation, but also highly organised and commercially minded, making sure products are delivered on time, within margin, and in line with Grind’s quality standards and sustainability values.

You’ll also play a key role in bringing high-profile brand collaborations to life, following in the footsteps of previous partnerships with Baileys, Pokémon, Green Day and Peanuts.

• Support the development and delivery of Grind’s NPD pipeline across RTD, coffee pods, food, drink and seasonal innovation.
• Manage project timelines, critical paths and development trackers to ensure launches land on time and meet key retail, seasonal and commercial deadlines.
• Research trends, identify range gaps and proactively bring forward new product ideas across grocery, B2B and D2C.
• Develop kitchen samples, recipes and product concepts, then support their scale-up into commercially viable products.
• Work closely with co-packers, manufacturers and suppliers to brief new products, run trials, review samples and manage launch requirements.
• Support the packaging artwork process from initial brief through to proofing, stakeholder sign-off and final print.
• Maintain accurate product specifications, recipe databases, product codes and relevant NPD documentation.
• Work cross-functionally with Brand, Supply Chain, Roastery, B2B, Finance and external partners to keep projects on track.
• Support commercial decision-making by balancing product quality, cost of goods, target margin and retail price expectations.
• Organise and lead tastings, product reviews and approval sessions with internal teams, external partners and retail customers.

You’ll have.

• Experience in product development, food innovation, NPD or a similar role within FMCG, food retail, hospitality, grocery or food-to-go.
• A strong understanding of the NPD process, from early-stage concept through to launch.
• Previous project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple timelines, suppliers and priorities at once.
• Experience working with suppliers, manufacturers, co-packers or production partners.
• A creative approach to recipe development, product innovation and trend-led thinking.
• A great palate and a genuine interest in coffee, food, drink, grocery or convenience trends.
• Good Communication skills, with the confidence to present ideas, run tastings and build relationships across teams.

Bonus if you have…

• Experience developing own-label or branded products for major UK retailers, grocery, convenience or foodservice customers.
• Experience working on ready-to-drink products, coffee, beverages, pods, food-to-go or seasonal gifting.
• Knowledge of coffee, brewing, sensory evaluation or specialty coffee standards.
• Experience working with sustainable packaging, packaging innovation or B Corp-aligned businesses.
• Experience managing factory trials, shelf-life testing or product validation studies.
• A qualification or background in food science, culinary arts, nutrition or a related field.

Grind is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or disability status.
If there are any adjustments you need to help you bring your best self to an interview with us please let us know.

Benefits and perks

• Smart Pension: We offer a pension scheme to help you plan for your future.
• Financial support: access to interest-free, short-term loans when you need them most
• Paid Time Off: Generous holiday allowance, plus an extra day of holiday for each year of service (up to 3 additional days).
• Referral Bonus: Earn up to £450 in tiered bonuses for referring great talent to our team
• Discounts online: Up to 40% off our retail line online.
• SpectrumLife: Access our confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.
• Crew Card: Enjoy 50% off all food and drinks, plus two free coffees a day at Grind locations.
• Friends & Family Discount: Share the love with discounts for your friends and family on our website and at our sites.
• Social Events: Join us for team social events to connect and have fun.
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity: Enjoy enhanced maternity and paternity benefits once eligible.
• Wellbeing Allowance: Up to £200 annually to spend on your wellbeing. 
• Birthday Treat: £20 birthday gift