Innovation Project Manager

St Pierre Groupe; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent food company in the UK is seeking an Innovation Project Manager to oversee product development from concept to launch. In this role, you will work closely with bakery partners to ensure successful product launches. Ideal candidates will possess experience in new product development in the food sector, along with strong project management skills. This position offers a hybrid working model, competitive benefits, and an excellent work location at Didsbury Towers.

Benefits

Annual bonus

Defined contribution pension scheme

Private Health Insurance

International Travel Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

27 days annual leave + 1 day for your birthday

Flexible working hours

Excellent work location with onsite amenities

Qualifications

• Essential food sector experience in new product development/project management.
• Understanding of the bakery sector is an advantage.
• Good report writing and presentation skills required.

Responsibilities

• Lead new & existing product development through the Stage & Gate process.
• Guide bakery partners in developing market leading products.
• Evaluate new product concepts and competitor launches.

Skills

Food sector experience in NPD / project management

Understanding of the bakery sector

Flexibility and interest to travel internationally

Good report writing and presentation skills

Well organised with good attention to detail

Ability to work across several projects and meet tight deadlines

A passion for food

Job description

The Innovation Project Manager will directly report into and support the Head of Innovation. They will be responsible for managing new and existing product development from concept to launch. Working closely with our bakery partners they will need to use their knowledge and stakeholder management skills to launch successfully.

Responsibilities

• Lead new & existing product development through the St Pierre Stage & Gate process
• Guide our bakery partners in developing market leading products
• Evaluate and critique new product concepts and competitor launches
• Build strong relationships with bakery partners and St Pierre project team
• Create and manage the critical path
• Organise project meetings, ensuring outcomes are communicated to the team
• Validate shelf life and report micro and organoleptic findings
• Write detailed Quality Assurance Specs for new products
• Attend and approve trials & first production
• Successfully handover launched products to Quality & Compliance team

Qualifications

• Food sector experience in NPD / project management (essential)
• Understanding of the bakery sector (advantage)
• Flexibility and interest to travel internationally
• Experience in carrying out product evaluation and critique
• Good report writing and presentation skills
• Well organised with good attention to detail
• The ability to work across several projects and meet tight deadlines
• A passion for food

Benefits

• Annual bonus (details to be provided)
• Defined contribution pension scheme (8% employer, minimum 1% employee contribution)
• Private Health Insurance and Medicash (after 3 months service)
• International Travel Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Annual Leave of 27 days + 1 day for your Birthday + statutory days
• Flexible working (start time between 8am-10am) + early Friday finish.
• Hybrid working with a mix of 3x onsite and 2x remote days.
• Excellent work location at Didsbury Towers with onsite café, parking, and events.