R&D Manager (Process)

Valeo Foods; Ambergate; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Matched pension scheme

Death in service

Cycle to work scheme

Canteen

Retailer discount platform

Staff discount

Job summary

Valeo Foods is seeking an R&D Manager (Process) to lead end-to-end development of bakery products, raw materials and processes at the Matthew Walker Factory. You will drive innovation, strengthen customer partnerships and ensure scientific excellence in pilot plant and factory environments.

You will manage projects from concept through launch, act as the primary technical contact for customer developers, and coach Technologists/Technicians while improving procedures and documentation.

Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing, ideally NPD or R&D.
• Strong communication skills (written, verbal and presentations).
• Ability to collaborate across all organisational levels.
• Detail-oriented with strong organisational skills.
• Commercial awareness and comfort with data and numbers.
• Agile, resilient and adaptable to change.
• Experience engaging cross-functionally and with external stakeholders.
• Proficient in MS Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Valid UK driving license.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end product development from concept to post-launch.
• Act as primary technical contact for customer developers.
• Prepare trial reviews, manage pre-productions and launches.
• Build bakery technology expertise and monitor trends.
• Engage suppliers on product and process opportunities.
• Maintain auditable project documentation and trackers.
• Provide clear project updates to stakeholders.
• Line-manage and develop Technologists/Technicians.
• Drive continuous improvement of procedures and ways of working.

Skills

Food manufacturing

NPD / R&D

Bakery technology

Project management

Communication

Collaboration across levels

Attention to detail

Data & numbers

Change agility

Cross-functional engagement

MS Office

Full UK driving licence

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Description

We are looking for a R&D Manager (Process) to be based at our Matthew Walker Factory to lead the end to end development of new bakery products, raw materials and processes, ensuring right‑first‑time delivery to agreed critical paths. The role strengthens strategic customer partnerships, drives innovation, and ensures scientific and technical excellence across pilot plant and factory environments.

• Lead product development projects from concept through post‑launch, ensuring on‑time, in‑full delivery.
• Act as primary technical contact for customer developers, nurturing, collaborative and dynamic relationships.
• Prepare and deliver trial review presentations, manage pre‑productions, and attend launch visits.
• Build subject‑matter expertise in bakery technology and trends.
• Engage suppliers to identify product, ingredient, and technology opportunities.
• Maintain accurate, auditable project documentation and trackers.
• Provide clear, consistent project updates to all stakeholders.
• Deputise when required.
• Line‑manage, coach and develop Technologists/Technicians.
• Drive continuous improvement of procedures, documentation, and ways of working.

Qualifications

• Strong passion for food and innovation.
• Clear and confident communication skills (written, verbal and presentations).
• Ability to collaborate effectively across all organisational levels.
• High attention to detail, strong organisation and forward‑thinking mindset.
• Commercially aware and comfortable with data and numbers.
• Demonstrates agility, resilience and capacity to create and embrace change.
• Experience in food manufacturing, ideally NPD or R&D.
• Understanding of food process technologies
• Experience engaging cross‑functionally and with external stakeholders.
• Competent in MS Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Full UK clean driving license.

Additional Information

What we offer you in return

• Matched pension scheme
• Death in service
• Cycle to work scheme
• Canteen
• Retailer discount platform
• Staff discount
• And plenty more!