Head of Innovation

Natures Way Foods; Chichester; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food innovator in Chichester is seeking a Head of Product Innovation to spearhead the development of fresh, healthy products. This role involves leading a dynamic team and collaborating across functions to drive innovation. The ideal candidate will have experience in food innovation, a passion for health and food trends, and the ability to inspire a team. Attractive market salary, bonus opportunities, and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Employer matched pension

Car Allowance

Bonus

Relocation allowance & support

Health cash plan

Cycle to work scheme

Colleague discounts

Flexibility in pay frequency

Access to online GP

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Proven leader in Food NPD/Innovation, ideally in fresh or chilled products.
• Experienced in managing chefs, product development, and packaging teams.
• Commercially savvy with a talent for turning creative ideas into profitable products.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full concept-to-launch innovation process.
• Build and manage an innovation pipeline.
• Inspire and grow a multidisciplinary team.
• Partner across departments to unlock new opportunities.
• Drive process improvements for efficiency and sustainability.

Skills

Leadership in Food NPD/Innovation

Managing multidisciplinary teams

Commercial acumen

Passion for food and health

Job description

Head of Innovation / Chichester / West Sussex – Market leading salary, bonus & amazing benefits package

At Nature’s Way Foods, our mission is simple: “The Best at Fresh.” We’re looking for an inspiring Head of Product Innovation to lead the way in shaping the future of fresh, healthy food. This is a unique opportunity to drive innovation across new product development, process improvement, and packaging, delivering exciting products that delight consumers and set the standard for the industry

What You’ll Do

• Lead the full concept‑to‑launch innovation process, ensuring every product and package is consumer‑focused, commercially viable, and operationally excellent
• Build and manage a dynamic innovation pipeline that balances quick wins with transformational ideas
• Inspire and grow a multidisciplinary team of chefs, product developers, and packaging experts, fostering creativity, curiosity, and high performance
• Partner with colleagues across Operations, Technical, Commercial, and Finance, and work closely with customers and suppliers to unlock new opportunities
• Drive process improvements to boost efficiency, sustainability, quality, and shelf life

Who You Are

• A proven leader in Food NPD/Innovation, ideally in fresh or chilled products
• Experienced managing chefs, product development, and packaging teams
• Commercially savvy, with a talent for turning creative ideas into profitable, high‑quality products
• Passionate about food, health, and innovation, with an eye on consumer trends
• Entrepreneurial, inspiring, collaborative, and resilient in a fast‑paced environment

What you get from us

• Life Assurance
• Employer matched pension
• Car Allowance
• Bonus
• Relocation allowance & support if applicable
• Health cash plan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Colleague discounts, e.g. Gym membership & shopping discounts
• Flexibility in pay frequency each month
• Access to online GP
• Employee assistance programme

This is your chance to lead innovation at a business that’s growing fast and setting the bar in fresh food. If you thrive on creativity, teamwork, and making a real impact, this is the role for you. Join us and be part of a team that’s shaping the future of fresh food.

We look for passionate people, with a can‑do attitude and an ambition to succeed. We strive to help our people in channeling that passion into everything they do, because your success is our success! We love people who have high standards & lots of ideas, because we are always striving to improve, and we want you to help us do that.

Natures Way is a fun, fast and friendly environment where you will be surrounded by a passionate and dedicated team, who are committed to being the best at fresh. Apply now & join our family