Senior Innovation Manager - (Internal Applicants Only)

Yeo Valley Production Ltd; Highweek; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

None

Job summary

Yeo Valley Production Ltd is seeking a Senior Innovation Manager to lead the Innovation Development function at our Newton Abbot site. You will own multi-category product launches, drive innovation with senior leadership, and ensure rigorous evaluation of new and existing products in ice cream and desserts.

You will work with cross-functional teams to deliver trend-led concepts, set strategic demand pillars, and oversee capital projects while maintaining regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Food NPD experience, preferably in dairy, desserts or ice cream.
• Experience leading multiple product development projects with deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of ingredients used in yogurt, desserts and ice cream.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and mentor others.
• Excellent communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Empower and lead the Innovation Development function and act as senior contact for internal/external projects.
• Lead NPD projects from Gate 0 to Gate 2 and identify platforms for new opportunities.
• Oversee multiple critical paths, manage risks and ensure on-time launches across the portfolio.
• Collaborate with Head of Process, R&D, Technical, Sourcing and Operations on new products and processes.
• Drive cost efficiency and profitability through clever concept development and best practices.

Skills

Product trends

Food vision

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Team leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Food qualification or dairy/food experience

Job description

So, what will I be doing?

*Internal Applications Only*

At Yeo Valley, we’re more than just an organic dairy company – we’re a community rooted in the land, committed to sustainability, and passionate about producing quality food that nurtures people and planet.

We are looking for a Senior Innovation Manager to join our Central Development Team on a full time basis (40 hours per week - Monday - Friday), This role is located at our Newton Abbot site. This is an essential role in the co‑ordination of the Innovation Development team to deliver multi customer product launches across multi categories to enable best‑in‑class innovation for our customers.

Under the direction of the Head of Product- Own label, the Senior Innovation Manager will be responsible for the leadership of the Innovation Development function at Yeo Valley. This role is required to empower, lead & prioritise the workload of the innovation function, to successfully launch & evaluate the new & existing products within the categories of ice cream and desserts, ensuring innovation team delivers the strategic demand pillar plans with rigor and pace.

This individual will work collaboratively with senior leadership peers from across the business to deliver best in class, trend setting, insight led innovation concepts that are aligned with customer & business strategies.

The role requires the ability to oversee the development process with the customer and the internal functions from Gate 0 to 2 kitchen approval.

Using advanced project management skills to solve complex problems and deliver highly complex projects:

• Encourage creative and WOW innovation that pushes boundaries
• Make “Better Impacts” through innovative product & new technologies
• Lead Capital Projects

This role is critical in shaping the future of the Yeo Valley Product Portfolio.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Empower and lead Yeo Valley Innovation Development and be the senior contact for all internal and external projects associated with Innovation Development
• Lead the Innovation Team for all NPD projects from Gate 0 approval to Gate 2 and to identify potential platforms for new food opportunities, ensuring the relevant stakeholders are involved at the right stage and aligned, including chairing gate meetings and embedding best practice.
• Lead oversight and accountability for multiple project critical paths across multiple timelines, including project and stakeholder management, identifying risks and developing mitigation strategies to ensure launches are delivered on time & in full across the portfolio
• To work collaboratively with Head of Process, R&D Team, Technical, Sourcing and Operations teams on new products, raw materials, packaging & factory processes
• Drive a passion for food and creativity to support NPD Pipeline planning for the future and getting ahead of the curve
• To drive down all aspects of Direct/Indirect costs to make a continual and sustainable improvement in profitability in areas that can be impacted by clever concept development. Influence other departments to adopt best in class procedures and ways of working
• Accountability of the teams performance to meet BRC and ISO accreditation standards adopted by the business and legislative standards
• Have overall accountability of the results and performance of Innovation Development with regards to NPD success and reaching targets/objectives

Sounds interesting, what do I need?

Essential:

• Technical Skills –Expertise in product trends, foodie vision
• Project Management-Experience in managing multiple product development projects simultaneously, with a focus on meeting deadlines and managing resources effectively
• Knowledge of Ingredients -Strong understanding of the functional properties of yogurt, desserts & ice cream
• Teamwork –Ability to work well with a collaborative, cross-functional team environment and lead in own area of expertise. Ability to encourage & lead within own team
• Problem solving –Excellent troubleshooting skills and ability to analyse complex technical challenges & implement solutions. Support & mentor team members to reach solutions
• Communication -Excellent verbal & written communication skills with the ability to present ideas and data clearly to technical & non-technical stakeholders

Qualifications:

• Food qualification or previous food manufacturing or catering experience
• Minimum 8 years of experience in a food NPD role, preferably within dairy, desserts or ice cream. Essential people management experience

Desirable Skills:

• Industry Knowledge -Strong knowledge of Brands, values & processes as adopted by the retailers. Working knowledge of relevant legislation criteria and food production industry standards/HACCP
• Large Scale Capital Projects -Ideally experience in managing or supporting

Personal Attributes:

• Detail-Oriented – Meticulous attention to detail in both product development and documentation
• Adaptability –Able to work