Process Manager

Pilgrim'S Europe; Bodmin; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilgrim's Europe is seeking an experienced Process Manager to lead the Process Team from development through to launch. You will drive right first-time product launches, manage critical paths and oversee factory trials across multiple functions to deliver innovative products for our customers.

You will build strong customer relationships, ensure quality standards and stay compliant with safety and regulatory requirements while driving cost-saving improvements and productivity gains.

Qualifications

• Experience managing customer relationships within a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading and coordinating factory trials.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the process function to deliver successful, right first-time product launches.
• Manage and prioritise the day-to-day workload of the Process Team.
• Act as the subject matter expert for your site/category area.
• Contribute to innovation and product ideation activities.
• Support feasibility assessments during the NPD process.
• Collaborate with NPD, Commercial, Customer, Engineering, Quality and Production teams to meet timelines.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Degree in Food Science/Marketing/Business

Job description

About the Role

Are you passionate about delivering successful product launches and driving innovation within food manufacturing?

At Pilgrim's Europe, we are looking for an experienced Process Manager to lead our Process Team in bringing commercially approved products and concepts from development through to launch. You will play a critical role in ensuring products are delivered right first time, meeting customer expectations, quality standards, and business objectives.

Working across multiple functions, you will drive projects through the stage-gate process, manage critical paths, oversee factory trials, and support the delivery of innovative products that shape the future of our business.

Key Responsibilities

As Process Manager, you will:

• Lead the process function to deliver successful, right first-time product launches.
• Manage and prioritise the day-to-day workload of the Process Team.
• Act as the subject matter expert for your site/category area.
• Contribute to innovation and product ideation activities.
• Support feasibility assessments during the NPD process.
• Collaborate closely with NPD, Commercial, Customer, Engineering, Quality and Production teams to deliver projects against agreed timelines.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships, acting as a key point of contact where required.
• Develop robust factory processes that meet customer, technical and operational requirements.
• Oversee product trials, first production runs, shelf-life validation, nutritional analysis and cooking validations.
• Lead pre-launch meetings and ensure all documentation and approvals are completed ahead of launch.
• Drive operational excellence through process improvements, efficiency gains, yield improvements and cost-saving initiatives.
• Support profit improvement projects, including alternative ingredient sourcing and manufacturing efficiencies.
• Maintain controlled process development documentation and ensure legislative compliance.
• Support artwork approval processes and specification reviews where applicable.
• Deliver Product & Innovation KPI targets, including NPD revenue and conversion objectives.
• Ensure Health & Safety, HACCP and quality standards are maintained at all times.
• Travel between sites as required.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop direct reports to achieve their full potential.
• Conduct regular one-to-one meetings and performance reviews.
• Identify training and development opportunities for team members.
• Create engagement action plans to drive positive team culture and performance.
• Align team objectives with wider business and site strategies.

About You

We're looking for a confident and proactive leader with strong technical expertise and a passion for continuous improvement.

• Experience managing customer relationships within a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading and coordinating factory trials.
• Experience working with product costings and commercial considerations.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing legislation, food safety requirements and product labelling regulations.
• Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to identify process improvements and cost-saving opportunities.
• Confidence building relationships across all levels of an organisation.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Qualifications

• Relevant food industry qualification and/or equivalent industry experience.
• Degree in Food Science, Marketing, Business, or equivalent higher education qualification.

Why Join Pilgrim's Europe?

At Pilgrim's Europe, our values are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in:

• Availability - being open, responsive and ready for new challenges.
• Humility - listening, learning and respecting others.
• Discipline - delivering on our commitments.
• Sincerity - acting with honesty and integrity.
• Simplicity - focusing on what matters most.
• Ownership - taking responsibility for results.
• Determination - driving success through action and perseverance.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence product innovation, lead high-profile launches, and make a real impact within one of Europe's leading food businesses.