Project Development Manager

inploi; City Of London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading artisan bakery in London is seeking a Project Development Manager to oversee the product development process from concept to launch. The ideal candidate will be highly organised with strong project management skills and experience in factory launches, thriving in a hybrid role that balances product and project management. This role offers benefits such as discounts, holiday leave, and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Fresh bread daily

50% discount at GAIL’s

25 days holiday + bank holidays

24-hour GP service

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in project management, especially in product development.
• Familiar with HACCP and site technical standards.
• Natural organiser with a hybrid understanding of product and project management.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end product development process.
• Create and manage project timelines and critical paths.
• Lead cross-functional meetings and drive accountability.
• Monitor costs and risks while managing exceptions.
• Review and improve processes for efficiency.

Skills

Highly organised

Project management

Relationship building

Resilience under pressure

Communication skills

Attention to quality

Job description

The Bread Factory is London’s leading Artisan Bakery, known for award-winning breads, pastries, and cakes, supplying top-quality products across e-commerce, grocery, food services, and retailers such as our GAIL’s Bakeries nationwide. As our teams grow, we seek our next Project Development Manager to join our team.

We Care about a Job Well Done:

Since 1993, we have been champions in traditional baking with the finest ingredients and techniques. We always do things the right way, not the easy way.

We Care about Baking:

At The Bread Factory, all our teams take pride in crafting beautiful, freshly baked loaves, pastries, and cakes. We are all passionate about our products and share knowledge among us all.

We Care about Each Other:

We always act with respect, empathy, and support to our employees, neighbours and customers.

We Care about Community:

We believe in minimising unsustainable practices and reducing waste. While ensuring we continue to provide everyone with nutritious high-quality food.

We Care about Nature:

We’re committed to sustainability across our supply chain—from reducing waste and reusing surplus to supporting regenerative farming that helps restore the planet.

Every day is different at The Bread Factory, but here are some of the things you will be doing:

• Own and manage the end-to-end product development process from concept to launch, following both Gail’s and customer NPD guidelines.
• Ensure all project briefs are approved before development begins.
• Create and manage project timelines and critical paths, updating stakeholders weekly and flagging risks or delays.
• Act as the main point of contact for customers, keeping Food, Commercial, and Retail teams aligned and informed.
• Lead cross-functional meetings, driving accountability, removing obstacles, and ensuring high-quality launches.
• Collaborate with Product and Process Development Managers to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Ensure due diligence for all product launches, including costings, nutritional analysis, shelf-life testing, and compliance with brand standards.
• Support production and process teams at pre-production trials and launches.
• Co-ordinate packaging artwork, approvals, and cross-team sign-offs.
• Monitor costs and risks, proactively managing exceptions to keep projects on track.
• Continuously review and improve processes to future-proof how we work.

Our team tells us you will be a great addition if you have:

• Highly organised, methodical, and experienced in project management.
• A natural organiser who thrives in a hybrid role spanning product and project management.
• Skilled at building relationships and bringing people together to deliver results.
• Resilient under pressure, with the ability to hold others accountable and keep projects moving.
• Experienced in successful factory launches and familiar with HACCP and site technical standards.
• A strong communicator, confident working with stakeholders at every level.
• Passionate about food, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Hungry to make a positive impact and drive transformational growth.

What’s in it for you:

• Fresh bread daily to take home to enjoy with family and friends.
• 50% discount at GAIL’s and 40% off at The Bread Factory & The Flour Station Markets.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Discounts and Savings from high-street retailers and restaurants
• 24-hour GP service
• Cycle to work scheme