Baked Product Development Manager

KP Snacks; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading snack manufacturer in the UK is seeking a Baked Product Development Manager to drive innovation in baked snacks. You will lead product development from concept to commercialisation, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate has strong R&D experience in an FMCG environment and a passion for baked goods. Join a vibrant team where your ideas are valued and growth is encouraged.

Qualifications

• Several years experience in developing baked goods with a strong understanding of ingredients, processes, and functionality.
• A degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or another STEM discipline; relevant certifications or project management training are a plus.
• Confident designing and running experiments, analysing data, and writing reports to support R&D decision-making.
• Proven track record of managing and delivering a portfolio of projects and programs within a fast-paced environment.
• Natural affinity to lead, engage, and coach others, sharing best practice.

Responsibilities

• Develop and commercialise new baked snacks across UK brands.
• Design and lead robust experimental plans with a strong focus on data-led decision-making.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure projects are technically sound and commercially viable.
• Influence the overall UK R&D agenda and nurture R&D talent across the organisation.

Skills

FMCG Baked expertise

Strong technical skills

Project delivery in FMCG

Leadership/collaborative mindset

Education

STEM qualification

Job description

You'll be responsible for developing and commercialising new baked snacks across our UK brands. This will include recipe formulation, benchtop development, scale-up planning, and overseeing trials at factory level, ensuring every product meets our quality, safety, and brand standards.

• Deliver projects with technical excellence and agility
• Design and lead robust experimental plans, from bench to scale, with a strong focus on data-led decision-making, and help embed R&D best practices via enhanced tools and processes. Ensure product designs are factory-ready and transitioned smoothly into production using our P2M and MoPD stage gate processes.
• Collaborate across KP and the wider Intersnack network
• Partner closely with colleagues in manufacturing, marketing, procurement, and our Intersnack flavour team to ensure projects are technically sound and commercially viable. Contribute to the Baked Community of Practice, sharing insights and championing technical innovation.
• Develop yourself and others
• As a member of the UK R&D Leadership team, influence the overall UK R&D agenda and nurture R&D talent across the organisation.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone with solid R&D experience within a reputable FMCG organisation, with passion and knowledge in baked categories, and a genuine desire to help develop and influence our wider R&D capability.

• FMCG Baked expertise: Several years experience in developing baked goods (e.g., crackers, biscuits) with a strong understanding of ingredients, processes, and functionality.
• STEM qualification: A degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or another STEM discipline; relevant certifications or project management training are a plus.
• Strong technical skills: Confident designing and running experiments, analysing data, and writing reports to support R&D decision-making.
• Project delivery in FMCG: Proven track record of managing and delivering a portfolio of projects and programs within a fast-paced environment.
• Leadership/collaborative mindset: Natural affinity to lead, engage, and coach others, sharing best practice, and contributing to a positive, continuous improvement culture.

Join our snack-loving team! We're looking for a Baked Product Development Manager to join KP Snacks. Be part of a group where your ideas matter and your growth is celebrated. This role reflects our increased innovation focus on baked snacks as part of KP Snacks' long-term growth ambitions. You'll bring specialist knowledge of baked goods/crackers/biscuits, lead product development from concept to commercialisation, and play a key role within our UK R&D leadership team. You will partner with cross-functional teams across KP and Intersnack, including marketing, consumer insights, supply chain, procurement, and suppliers/academia, and be a critical member of our One R&D Intersnack Community.