Innovation Manager, Innovation Manager

Pilgrim's Europe; Slough; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Innovation Manager to lead the innovation strategy for a renowned Food To Go brand. This exciting role involves developing and delivering a pipeline of innovative products while working closely with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in product development and project management, ensuring that consumer insights translate into winning commercial propositions. Join a passionate team that is on a growth journey and play a key role in shaping the future of this iconic brand.

Benefits

Competitive market salary

Annual pay review

Bonus eligibility

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in innovation roles with knowledge of the innovation process.
• Successful NPD delivery track record.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a robust pipeline of product innovation for retail and foodservice.
• Implement new processes to support business growth ambitions.

Skills

Innovation process knowledge

Product Development expertise

Project management

Consumer insight analysis

Job description

This is a {Contract Type} , Full Time vacancy that will close in 8 days at 23:59 BST.

My job

The company

Rollover, part of Pilgrim’s Europe, is a Hot Food to Go Solution business with a wide range of customers (Cineworld, Manchester United, Co-op, Sodexo, Merlin, Musgrave – just to name a few!).

We are a team of 56 passionate people. We are on the journey to become the UK leader in Hot Food to Go - quickly growing our business and currently expanding our core range. We now serve hotdogs, cheeseburgers, chicken burgers, breakfast muffins, chicken nuggets, jalapenos, and cheese poppers from more than 4,000 outlets across the UK. We have very strong growth ambitions for the next 3 years. So now is the perfect time to join!

Who is it for?

Innovation plays a critical role in our growth ambition. Therefore, we are creating this Innovation Manager position to own the Innovation strategy from pipeline to defining our innovation processes.

• Dream big?
• Always consider how Innovation can delight consumers and deliver results for the business and the category?
• Enjoy working cross-functionally?
• Make things happen at pace?

We have a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of Rollover, the iconic Food To Go brand.

Location: Rollover HQ – Slough (Burnham station on the Elizabeth Line)

Contract: Permanent, Full-time

As Rollover’s Innovation Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Developing and delivering a robust pipeline of product innovation both for retail and foodservice, working closely with our Food Design Specialist (chef).
  • Using consumer insight to create a pipeline of innovation opportunities which bring the brand innovation strategy to life.
  • Developing strong consumer concepts, validated through consumer insight testing.
  • Translating consumer concepts into winning commercial propositions via robust business cases.
• Implementing new processes including Gate Process, Discipline, and Compliance, from insights to execution to support the growth ambitions of the business and the brand.
• Successfully influencing the commercial organization to deliver the innovation agenda.

Your Skills & Knowledge

• 3+ years experience in Innovation roles with knowledge of Innovation process.
• Successful NPD delivery track record.
• Expertise in Product Development, including design thinking, prototyping, testing, and launch, including renovation projects.
• Project management expertise, including setting timelines, managing budgets, and coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Competitive market salary.
• Pay review each year.
• Eligible for Bonus %.

The company

Pilgrim’s Europe produces some of the best-known and most iconic brands in the UK and Ireland, including Fridge Raiders, Rollover, Denny, Richmond, Oakhouse, and Moy Park, alongside a diverse range of industry-leading own-label products in categories including fresh pork, lamb, and chicken, working with all the major retailers and food service outlets.

Our portfolio extends to authentic chilled and frozen ready meals, snacking ranges, added value, and food service products.

Across Pilgrim’s Europe, we combine 20,000 of the best people in the industry, united by a shared set of core values and a passion for producing the highest quality, most delicious, and innovative food, which is enjoyed by millions of people in the UK, Ireland, and Europe every day. Our Pilgrim’s Europe team is based in our Pilgrim’s UK, Moy Park, Pilgrim’s Food Masters, and Pilgrim’s Shared Services businesses.