Senior Product Developer

Found Food & Drink; Slough; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Found Food & Drink in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Product Developer to lead end-to-end development from concept through to launch, supplying both private label and branded products to major UK retailers and international markets. Working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, you will shape the future innovation pipeline and mentor a Junior Product Developer.

The role reports into the GM and involves coordinating with Technical, Procurement, Commercial and international teams to

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years' product development experience in FMCG food manufacturing.
• Experience developing products for major UK retailers, ideally chilled/frozen/complex foods.
• Strong project management with ability to manage multiple projects.
• Excellent understanding of technical compliance, packaging and launches.
• Experience mentoring or managing junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end product development projects from concept through to successful commercial launch
• Transform customer briefs into commercially viable, production-ready products
• Work closely with major retail customers to understand project objectives and deliver innovative solutions
• Conduct benchmarking, market research and trend analysis to identify new product opportunities
• Manage project critical paths, ensuring milestones and launch timelines are achieved
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Technical, Procurement, Packaging, Operations and Commercial
• Support UK, European and Asian product development projects, working closely with international colleagues and manufacturing partners to deliver successful product launches
• Manage retailer requirements including packaging, artwork, photography and marketing assets
• Lead product validations, factory trials and first production sign-off activities
• Monitor nutrition, quality and technical compliance throughout the development process
• Mentor and develop a Junior Product Developer, supporting their growth and day-to-day activities

Skills

Product development

Project management

Mentoring

Stakeholder management

Food industry experience

Job description

Starting Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 per annum

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday | Site-based

A well- established international food manufacturing business is looking to appoint a Senior Product Developer to join its Product Development team.

Supplying both private label and branded products to major UK retailers and international markets, this is an exciting opportunity to join a business known for delivering innovative and delicious food products. Working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, you'll lead the development of new products from concept through to successful launch, helping to shape the future innovation pipeline.

Reporting into the GM and working closely with the major retailers, various customers, Technical, Procurement, Commercial and international manufacturing teams, you will manage multiple development projects simultaneously, ensuring products are commercially viable, technically robust and delivered on time. You'll also play an important role in supporting product development projects across the UK, Europe and abroad, working collaboratively with international colleagues and manufacturing partners.

This is a highly visible, customer-facing role where you'll combine creativity, project management and technical understanding to deliver innovative products for some of the UK's leading retailers, while mentoring a Junior Product Developer and helping drive continuous improvement across the NPD function.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead end-to-end product development projects from concept through to successful commercial launch
• Transform customer briefs into commercially viable, production-ready products
• Work closely with major retail customers to understand project objectives and deliver innovative solutions
• Conduct benchmarking, market research and trend analysis to identify new product opportunities
• Manage project critical paths, ensuring milestones and launch timelines are achieved
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Technical, Procurement, Packaging, Operations and Commercial
• Support UK, European and Asian product development projects, working closely with international colleagues and manufacturing partners to deliver successful product launches
• Manage retailer requirements including packaging, artwork, photography and marketing assets
• Lead product validations, factory trials and first production sign-off activities
• Monitor nutrition, quality and technical compliance throughout the development process
• Mentor and develop a Junior Product Developer, supporting their growth and day-to-day activities

What's In It for You

• The opportunity to join a growing international food manufacturing business supplying major UK retailers
• Ownership of high-profile retail development projects from concept through to launch
• A varied, customer-facing role with exposure to innovation, commercial strategy and international product development
• The opportunity to support product launches across the UK, Europe and Asia
• The opportunity to mentor and develop a Junior Product Developer and to report directly into the GM

Your Background

• A minimum of five years' product development experience within FMCG food manufacturing
• Experience developing products for major UK retailers, ideally within chilled, frozen or complex food categories
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple development projects simultaneously
• Excellent understanding of technical compliance, packaging and product launch processes
• Experience conducting benchmarking, category analysis and translating customer briefs into successful products
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with confidence presenting to customers
• Previous experience mentoring or managing junior team members
• A proactive, organised and commercially minded approach with excellent attention to detail
• Willingness to travel within the UK, Europe and occasionally Asia

Join a Business That Invests in You

This is an opportunity to join an ambitious international food manufacturing business where innovation, collaboration and customer partnership drive everything they do. You'll have the chance to work on exciting retail projects, influence product strategy and play a key role in bringing innovative food products to market across the UK, Europe and Asia.

If you're an experienced Product Developer looking for the opportunity to lead projects, build customer relationships and develop the next generation of products, we would love to hear from you.