Global Product Innovation Leader - Scale & Pilot

Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner is seeking a Senior Product Development Manager to lead the technical development of innovative FMCG products across global markets, from concept through pilot and factory trials to commercial handover.

You will translate insights into viable product solutions and build platforms for long-term growth, collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Product Development, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in FMCG food product development, innovation, or R&D.
• Proven track record delivering projects from concept through scale-up.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes and product functionality.
• Experience managing pilot plant and factory trials.
• Excellent project management skills with multi-workstream leadership.
• Strong communication and stakeholder influence across levels.
• Experience with Stage-Gate or similar processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of innovative products from concept through pilot and factory scale.
• Translate consumer, customer, and commercial insights into viable product solutions.
• Build and develop innovation platforms supporting long-term category growth.
• Lead technical responses to briefs and define product development strategies.
• Identify technical risks, troubleshoot challenges, and implement solutions.
• Plan, manage, and execute pilot plant and factory trials.
• Collaborate with commercial, manufacturing, procurement, quality and supply chain teams.
• Develop relationships with suppliers and external partners to identify technologies and ingredients.
• Manage project budgets, timelines, documentation and technical deliverables.
• Ensure all projects meet food safety, quality, regulatory and commercial requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and champion innovation best practices.
• Mentor and support junior team members.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Leadership

Food industry knowledge

Education

Degree in Food Science or related discipline

Tools

Pilot plant equipment

Job description

Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner is seeking a Senior Product Development Manager to lead the technical development of innovative FMCG products across global markets, from concept through pilot and factory trials to commercial handover.

You will translate insights into viable product solutions and build platforms for long-term growth, collaborating with cross-functional teams.