Food Development Director

JR United Kingdom; Windsor; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food services sector is seeking a Food Development Director to oversee product innovation and ensure quality standards. This pivotal role involves collaboration across teams to deliver a dynamic product portfolio that meets customer needs. Successful candidates will have a strong background in category management and food trends, along with excellent project management skills.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in leading and executing category plans.
• Proven track record in a customer/supplier-facing role.
• Creative and motivated with a passion for food.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic development of product range.
• Lead product launches and ensure compliance with food safety standards.
• Analyze customer feedback for product optimization.

Skills

Project management

Analyzing data

Problem-solving

Understanding market trends

Commercial acumen

Creativity

Time management

Job description

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En Route International operates globally as part of dnata, one of the world’s largest combined air services providers. With offices in the UK, USA, Australia and UAE. En Route supplies premium baked goods, meals and snacks to the travel industry. We focus on partnering with world-class manufacturers customising products and packaging to suit individual customer needs while managing a complex supply chain with the highest levels of precision.

Job Purpose

The Food Development Director is responsible for the safety, quality and the development of the product range and the development and launch of all new products. Providing leadership for the NPD & technical teams, this role is instrumental in shaping the strategy and tactical execution of food development. Ensuring that the pipeline of NPD activity is underpinned by market-leading creativity and sound commercial efficiencies.

Key Accountabilities

• Drive the strategic development of the En Route portfolio and supplier base through a category plan-based approach on a globally consistent basis. (in close collaboration with the Sales, Procurement, Technical Team) ensuring that product developed & refreshed to support the business growth.
• Integrate a robust set of technical and food safety standards and processes into category development to ensure that the food we deliver is safe and of a consistently high standard to the specification demanded.
• Lead the Technical team to ensure an efficient QA & product surveillance program is consistently delivered supporting nonconformance investigations as required.
• Based on Customer and market feedback, ensure that product range is refreshed, reviewed and changed when needed to ensure it is relevant and contemporary. Avoid unnecessary drift and spread in range eliminating obsolescence and optimising inventory.
• Lead the successful launch of new products, ensuring comprehensive briefing of sales teams; price positioning based on intimate knowledge of competitors and substitutes; promotion and communication for market awareness.
• Work with new and existing suppliers to achieve ‘best in class’ products.
• Understand the wants and needs of both our customers and the end consumer.
• Translate current food trends into a commercially successful strategy and be the first to market products working with suppliers on own brand and retailer branded products
• Lead, motivate and inspire the business to deliver culinary innovation and excellence, bringing cross functional teams together to develop new products and give existing ranges a new lease of life.
• Ensure that the team have every opportunity to learn, develop and progress providing appropriate training in order that people are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their roles with confidence and progress in their careers
• Lead the Food Development Team to develop new products and processes in response to customer or business briefs that maintain and grow a creative catalogue of products but also achieve the required margin for our customers and the business
• To undertake any other duties, which may from time to time be assigned. This job description is not intended to be either prescriptive or exhaustive, but it is issued as a general framework at the time of writing.

Business travel is expected to be undertaken as part of the role and frequencies varies throughout the year.

Experience & Skills

• An understanding of spec design and detailed costing of dishes
• Strong experience leading, developing & executing category plans
• Demonstrated excellent project management skills
• A problem-solving mindset
• Proven track record of analysing and interpreting data to drive business performance
• Strong background in customer facing/ supplier facing capacity
• Strong understanding of market trends
• Creative and self-motivated with a passion for food
• Excellent commercial acumen with the ability to influence at all levels
• The ability to manage your own time effectively