Product Development Manager

Pilgrims Europe; Grantham; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable food company in Grantham is looking for a Product Development Lead. You will collaborate closely with various teams to drive innovation and manage product development projects. The ideal candidate must possess a food-related degree and at least 5 years of experience in product development within the food industry. This role also offers career development opportunities and a competitive salary.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Career development opportunities

Competitive annual leave

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Free site Car Parking

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of Product Development experience in the food industry essential.
• Experience running factory trials.
• Ability to lead and manage a team.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Head of Product & Process to determine NPD activity.
• Organize innovation sessions with customers.
• Manage a weekly NPD work plan and direct reports.

Skills

Food related degree

Product Development experience

Project management skills

IT Proficiency - Excel/Word/PowerPoint

Ingredient Knowledge/Food Passion

Education

Food related degree

Job description

Key areas of responsibility include (but not limited to) :

To work closely with the Head of Product & Process, Development Chefs , Site & Customer Teams to determine customer orientated and commercially viable NPD activity in response to customer briefs and innovation.

Organize innovation sessions internally and customer-facing, working in collaboration with the category team to bring customer and market focus to all NPD.

Ensure that the Pilgrims' Europe Concept to Launch Gate process is adhered to through all stages. Taking ownership and driving products, with the NPD, NPI & NWT teams, through each Gate.

Generate a weekly NPD work plan managing team workload and holidays.

Complete regular one to ones with direct reports ensuring goals are aligned to the business & site strategy.

Lead & Coach direct reports to maximize potential & support high performance.

Collaboratively with the NWT create customer roadmaps aligned to trends and site capability.

Using the Innovation Platforms to communicate forward looking plans that gives the business visibility of and confidence in the fact that the opportunities are being maximized.

Deliver against budgets set by the business and contribute towards customer E2E and DTV projects.

Support customer facing teams for all enquiries concerning the products you're working on, keeping them informed of any outcomes and making sure that all their needs are met.

Skills and Knowledge :

Food related degree and / or a minimum of 5 years Product Development experience in the food industry is essential

Product Costing & P74 Recipe Professor Experience

Experience running factory trials

Experience working within a structured development environment using a stage gate process.

Ability to lead and manage a team, in addition to manage their own portfolio of development projects.

Project management skills

IT Proficiency - Excel / Word / PowerPoint

Ingredient Knowledge / Food Passion

Previous experience in the Food Industry

Must have a full clean driving license

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Career development opportunities within a growing, forward-thinking business
• Competitive annual leave
• 24 / 7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Refer a Friend Scheme, Stars Awards, Wellbeing Initiatives, Long Service Awards
• Free site Car Parking, Life Assurance and many more