Product Developer

Compleat Food Group; Market Drayton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary sacrifice schemes

33 days’ annual leave

Retail discounts

Free product handouts

EV charging points

GroceryAid access

Wellbeing hub

Job summary

The Compleat Food Group invites applications for a Product Developer to join our team at Palethorpes Bakery, Market Drayton. You will support new chilled food development across major UK retailers, driving the innovation agenda and coordinating with customers and internal teams in feasibility and scale-up.

You will develop recipes, manage projects to time and budget, and help ensure products meet quality, sustainability, and brand targets while staying connected with market trends and customer

Qualifications

• Product development experience in a manufacturing or retailer environment.
• Strong planning, organisation and project management skills.
• Good analytic and numeracy skills.
• Attention to detail and presentation skills.
• Driving licence due to travel across the UK.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of the innovation agenda, building pipelines of ideas and scoping new projects.
• Develop products on time and to budget.
• Be first point of contact for customers for development and proactive relationships.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure feasibility and alignment with strategy.
• Lead product presentations in feasibility meetings.
• Work with teams to ensure concepts can scale and meet sustainability criteria.
• Ensure recipes meet food quality standards and brand targets.
• Benchmark accurately at internal and external presentations.

Skills

Product development

Planning

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Presentation skills

Driving licence

Education

Food Based Degree

Job description

We have a very exciting opportunity for a Product Developer to join The Compleat Food Group and support new chilled food development across major UK retailers!

About The Compleat Food Group

At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good - great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat.

We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, includingWall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, andHarvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own-label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added-value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant-based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice.

With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better.

Location: Palethorpes Bakery, Market Drayton (additional travel required to customer and sites across the group)

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:30 - 17:00, Friday, 8:30 - 16:00.

What You Will be Doing:

• Supporting the delivery of the innovation agenda- building the pipelines of ideas, supporting scoping new projects and actively participating in internal and external innovation sessions.
• Developing products on time and to budget.
• First point of contact for customers for development and building positive pro-active relationships
• Working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to ensure feasibility of products that are developed in line with company and customer strategy
• Leading product presentations in feasibility meetings
• Actively working with teams to solve issues and ensure concepts can be made to scale and meet sustainability criteria.
• Ensure product recipes meet appropriate food quality standards alongside commercial targets and within brand standards.
• Ensure benchmarking is carried out accurately and comprehensively at internal and external presentations.
• Actively demonstrate passion for food and a good understanding of market and food trends

Experience and Skills:

• Product development experience in a manufacturing or retailer environment
• Food Based Degree (desirable)
• Passion for food – product tasting required across multiple categories
• Strong planning, organisation and project management skills.
• Good analytic and numeracy skills
• Attention to detail and Presentation skills
• Driving licence due to occasional travel across the UK

Why Join Us:

• Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
• 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra
• Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
• Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
• EV charging points - available at selected sites
• 24/7 access to GroceryAid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
• Physical Wellbeing Hub - free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts
• Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes
• Online wellbeing support - from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
• Financial wellbeing tools - including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid
• Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
• Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
• Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
• Company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey
• Recognition through Club Compleat rewards

Community & Culture

• 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
• Charity initiatives and fundraising events
• Team socials to connect and celebrate together
• Employee networks & support groups - including Women @ Compleat
• New baby gift for new parents

The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We welcome diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace.

We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal opportunity’s employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed.

Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process.

Job attachments

Job_Description_-_Product_Developer_new_format_.docx