Own Brand Product Development Manager

Musgrave Group; Cork; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Career development

Job summary

Musgrave Group is seeking an experienced product development leader to shape and deliver its Own Brand product pipeline across SuperValu, Centra and Musgrave Excellence. You will lead a team of product developers and technologists, partnering with commercial, quality, sourcing, design, operations and sustainability to bring customer-led innovations to market.

You will set the annual development plan, manage stage-gate processes, and ensure products are commercially viable, compliant, and aligned

Qualifications

• Experience leading product development in food, grocery, retail, manufacturing or FMCG.
• Degree or equivalent in a related discipline (Food Tech, Food Science, Food Business).
• Strong knowledge of Irish and UK grocery markets and trends.
• Experience managing multiple product development projects and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development of Own Brand products across retail and wholesale brands.
• Set annual product development plan aligned to brand and business priorities.
• Build a customer-led innovation pipeline to drive growth.
• Lead and develop the product development and technology team.
• Ensure products meet quality, regulatory, and sustainability standards.
• Collaborate with Trading, Design, Operations and Sustainability teams.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Communication

Project management

Team development

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree in Food Technology

Tools

Stage-gate governance

Job description

Join Musgrave – A Legacy of Innovation, Community, and Excellence

Musgrave is one of Europe’s most successful family-owned businesses, with a rich 150-year legacy in food and brand innovation. We're proud to serve communities across Ireland and Spain, feeding one in three people every day through 19 iconic brands like SuperValu, Centra, Mace, Frank and Honest, and Musgrave MarketPlace. By supporting thousands of retail and foodservice family businesses, we make a positive impact on the communities they serve. We're committed to becoming the most trusted and sustainable business in Ireland, and we're looking for dynamic, forward-thinking individuals to join us on this journey.

We are seeking an experienced product development leader to shape and deliver Musgrave’s Own Brand product pipeline across SuperValu, Centra and Musgrave Excellence. Reporting to the Head of Own Brand, you will lead a team of product developers and technologists and partner with commercial, quality, sourcing, design, operations and sustainability teams. You will bring customer-led innovation to market while ensuring every product is commercially viable, compliant and aligned with our brand, category, health and sustainability ambitions.

What you'll be doing:

Shape the Product Pipeline

Lead the end-to-end development of Own Brand products across Musgrave’s retail and wholesale brands.

Set the annual product development plan with Product Development and Trading, aligned to brand, category and business priorities.

Track delivery, communicate progress and resolve risks or delays.

Build a customer-led innovation pipeline that supports growth and responds to market trends.

Lead and Develop the Team

Lead and develop the product development and technology team, setting clear priorities and accountabilities.

Build capability through coaching, feedback and development, creating a collaborative and commercially focused culture.

Deliver Successful Products

Guide products from sourcing and concept development through the stage-gate process to launch.

Ensure new and improved products meet customer needs, quality benchmarks, brand ambitions and category strategies.

Partner with Trading and Category Management to assess feasibility, cost, margin and commercial viability.

Work with Design and Operations to deliver consistent, high-quality execution in market.

Protect Quality and Compliance

Ensure products meet all relevant legislation, Musgrave policies and agreed quality and technical standards.

Maintain complete, accurate and approved product and packaging specifications.

Own and annually review the policies governing Own Brand product and packaging development.

Advance Packaging, Sustainability and Health

Lead the Own Brand packaging and sustainability agenda with senior stakeholders and industry experts.

Translate Musgrave’s sustainability strategy into clear Own Brand priorities and governance.

Lead the Own Brand health agenda, including relevant reformulation priorities.

Improve How We Work

Build strong cross-functional relationships to deliver shared objectives.

Lead continuous improvement of Own Brand processes and ways of working with key stakeholders.

Embed clear, efficient and consistent product development practices across the business.

What we are looking for:

What You’ll Bring

At least three years’ experience in product development or a technical role within food, grocery, retail, manufacturing or FMCG.

A degree or equivalent third-level qualification in Food Technology, Food Science, Food Business or a related discipline.

Strong knowledge of the Irish and UK grocery markets, customer needs and food trends.

Working knowledge of food and packaging legislation and compliant product launches.

A strong record of managing multiple product development projects, priorities and deadlines.

Commercial judgement and the ability to balance customer, quality, technical, cost and margin considerations.

Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder-management skills, including experience working with suppliers.

A practical, improvement-focused approach to processes and ways of working.

An Advantage:

Experience leading or developing a team.

Own Brand product development and stage-gate governance experience.

Experience in packaging, sustainability, health or reformulation programmes.

How You’ll Work:

Put customers and shoppers at the centre of decisions.

Lead and develop people with clarity and purpose.

Think strategically and deliver at pace.

Use sound judgement to solve problems and make decisions.

Bring curiosity about food, innovation and changing consumerneeds.

Why Musgrave:

Career Development: With a commitment to your personal and professional growth, Musgrave offers numerous opportunities for advancement and learning.
Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a passionate team, where your contributions will make a significant impact
Innovation Focus: Be part of a company that values forward-thinking solutions
Community Focus: Be part of a company that truly values its communities and strives to make a positive impact.
Be Part of a Legacy: Join a company with a long-standing commitment to community and innovation.

Musgrave is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from diverse candidates. If we can make any accommodations to enable you to be the best version of yourself during the interview, please let us know.

Musgrave operate a Work Smart hybrid working model where you can alternate your time between connecting and collaborating in the business and working remotely.