Senior Product Development Manager

Nomad Foods Inc; Lowestoft; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic leader to head an end-to-end R&D team focused on innovation and product development. This role involves strategic partnership with various departments to ensure the successful delivery of a validated innovation pipeline that meets consumer needs and drives growth. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background, experience in FMCG, and a passion for fostering a performance-driven culture. Join this forward-thinking company to make a significant impact on product development and operational excellence while leading a diverse and talented team.

Qualifications

• Degree level technical qualifications or equivalent experience required.
• Experience in FMCG in a technical role is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end R&D team and strategy for product development.
• Ensure compliance and drive innovation for growth targets.
• Build inclusive teams and develop future leaders.

Skills

Innovation Strategy

Technical Execution

Regulatory Compliance

Cost Saving Identification

Continuous Improvement

Education

Technical Qualifications Degree Level

Equivalent Experience in FMCG

Job description

Overview

ROLE PURPOSE: Leadership of an End-to-end R&D team & programme for part of a core Segment. Leads a single or multi-site team of developers, accountable for co-creation of strategy, innovation pipeline & end-to-end delivery (concept to production) of the R&D programme (NPD, EPD, F4G, ...), in Nomad factories and at selected copackers within agreed budget & timescale. Influential business partner with senior colleagues in Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain & Procurement.

BUSINESS IMPACT: Accountable for shaping & leading the strategy development within their MWBs & for driving the end-to-end R&D work programme to ensure delivery of a validated pipeline that delivers the MWB growth & renovation targets. Accountable for growing & maintaining their existing portfolio ensuring efficient R&D implementation of product & process changes impacting multiple MWBs &/or Growth Platforms (in-house & copack) including compliance with Nomad policies & procedures. Promotes consumer-led design & design for manufacture to ensure products are efficiently commercialised, meet consumer needs & are superior to the competition. Identifies & implements opportunities for savings, simplification & quality improvement. Accountable for safe & hygienic ways of working within their factory-based teams.

Responsibilities

Functional Leadership

• Influence & impact on innovation strategy
• Validated innovation pipeline to deliver growth targets for their MWBs &/or GPs
• Regulatory & policy compliance of portfolio
• Pro-active in identifying cost saving & simplification opportunities
• Excellent technical execution & knowledge capture
• Impact & influence re supply chain decisions impacting product attributes & claims
• Effective business partnership
• Continuous improvement

People Leadership

• Builds a performance culture
• Develop future leaders and nurture technical talent
• Maintain & develop relevant expertise
• Builds inclusive and diverse teams
• Drives sustainable engagement in teams
• Strong networks and proven leadership outside RDQ

Governance

• Accurate & informative input to gate documents
• Resource deployment based on priorities
• RDQ input to facilitate manufacturing & sourcing decisions
• Be able to prioritise resource vs business needs

Design Leadership

• Deep understanding of consumer needs (KCA & KPA translation) & preferences across multiple markets
• Good understanding of relevant supply chains & technologies
• Product & pack strategies for key products in their portfolio to ensure they remain relevant and maintain competitive advantage
• Superior products with strong claims & relevant points of difference

Operational Leadership

• On time, in full execution of the technical programme
• Delivery of programme within budget
• Contingency planning to ensure no gap to plan
• Continuous development of RDQ capability & facilities in line with business needs
• Adoption & sharing of best practice within teams

Qualifications

• Technical qualifications degree level, or equivalent
• Experience within FMCG in a technical role
• People and programme leadership with evidence of successful delivery